Jigme Singye Wangchuck

Jigme Singye Wangchuck
King-Father of Bhutan

Jigme Singye Wangchuck with three of his wives and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Robert O. Blake, Jr.
Reign 24 July 1972 - 14 December 2006 (&1000000000000003400000034 years, &10000000000000143000000143 days)
Coronation 2 June 1974(1974-06-02) (aged 18)
Born 11 November 1955 (1955-11-11) (age 56)
Birthplace Dechenchholing Palace,
Thimphu, Bhutan
Predecessor Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Successor Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
Consort to Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck
Tshering Pem Wangchuck
Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck
Sangay Choden Wangchuck
Offspring Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Sonam Dechen Wangchuck
Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck
Kesang Choden Wangchuck
Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck
Khamsum Singhye Wangchuck
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Euphelma Choden Wangchuck
Ugyen Jigme Wangchuck
Father Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Mother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck

Jigme Singye Wangchuck (born 11 November 1955) is the former King of Bhutan. He was the fourth Dragon King (Druk Gyalpo) of Bhutan from 1972 until his abdication in favour of his eldest son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in 2006. He is credited with many modern reforms in the country.

Contents

Early life

He acceded to the throne at the age of seventeen, in 1972, after the sudden death of his father, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. When he was formally crowned on 2 June 1974, he was the youngest monarch in the world at eighteen years of age, and the coronation was notable for the presence of foreign dignitaries, thus signalling the end of the long isolation of the country. He was educated in Bhutan, India and the United Kingdom. He is not to be confused with his cousin who has a similar name; his cousin attended Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Modernization

It has been noted that the fourth king ruled his people with orthodox views based on the traditions of Buddhism. Even to this day, traffic lights do not exist in the country, and by law everyone must wear traditional 14th century clothing. Since the beginning of his rule, television and internet access have become available. Tourism in Bhutan, however, remains low.

King Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the creator of GNH (Gross National Happiness).[1]

Abdication

On 17 December 2005, (at the age of 50), he announced [2] his intention to abdicate in 2008, leaving the throne to his son.[3] In a royal edict issued on 14 December 2006, the king announced that he would begin handing over power to his eldest son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck immediately. He ordered a parliamentary election be held in 2008.[4]

Family life

Jigme Singye Wangchuck is married to four queens (all of whom are sisters) and has five sons and five daughters. Several of his children have been educated abroad.

Wives and children borne

1. HM Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (20 December 1955 (1955-12-20) (age 56), second daughter of Yab Ugen Dorji and Yum Thuiji Zam)

Name Birth Marriage Issue
Princess Ashi Sonam Dechen Wangchuck 5 August 1981 (1981-08-05) (age 30)
Prince Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck 6 July 1984 (1984-07-06) (age 27)

2. HM Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck (20 December 1957 (1957-12-20) (age 54), third daughter)

Name Birth Marriage Issue
Princess Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck 10 January 1980 (1980-01-10) (age 32)
Princess Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck 23 January 1982 (1982-01-23) (age 30)
Prince Dasho Ugyen Jigme Wangchuck 11 November 1994 (1994-11-11) (age 17)

3. HM Ashi Tshering Yangdön Wangchuck (21 June 1959 (1959-06-21) (age 52), fourth daughter)

Name Birth Marriage Issue
King Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck 21 February 1980 (1980-02-21) (age 31)
Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck 2 December 1981 (1981-12-02) (age 30)
Prince Dasho Jigme Dorji Wangchuck 14 April 1986 (1986-04-14) (age 25)

4. HM Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck (11 May 1963 (1963-05-11) (age 48), fifth daughter)

Name Birth Marriage Issue
Prince Dasho Khamsum Singhye Wangchuck 6 October 1985 (1985-10-06) (age 26)
Princess Ashi Euphelma Choden Wangchuck June 1993 (age 18)

Styles

Honours

See also

References

  1. ^ bhutan2008.bt: 1979 – Gross National Happiness
  2. ^ National Day Address
  3. ^ "Bhutan king announces abdication". BBC News. 18 December 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4539308.stm. Retrieved 6 May 2010. 
  4. ^ Sengupta, Somini. "Line Up and Pick a Dragon: Bhutan Learns to Vote." New York Times. 24 April 2007. (Accessed 24 April 2007)[1]

External links

Jigme Singye Wangchuck
House of Wangchuck
Born: 11 November 1955
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck		 King of Bhutan
1972-2006		 Succeeded by
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck