Mariam Abdul Aziz

Datin Paduka Seri Dayang Hajah Mariam binti Abdul Aziz (born 29 January 1956) or also referred to as Mariam Aziz, is the former wife of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, married to him from 1981 to 2003. Early life As the third child of Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, formerly known as James Bell, and Pengiran Rashida, Mariam was born on 28 January 1956. Her father ancestry is both English and Japanese. She served as a flight attendant for Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA). Later, she was transferred to the Sultan's flight. Marriage On 28 October 1981, in Bandar Seri Begawan, Mariam married Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who made her his second wife. She was bestowed the title of Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Isteri. Together they have four children who are Prince Azim, Princess Azemah, Princess Fadzilah and Prince Mateen. After meeting in 1980, the couple got divorced in February 2003. Prince Sufri, the brother of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, announced the information on official television on 2 February 2003, that she was getting a divorce in accordance with the country's Sharia Islamic law. In government and commercial establishments, several images of the sultan's ex-wife that were displayed alongside to pictures of him and his first wife were swiftly taken down after the royal announcement. The monarch has 100 days to change his mind without requiring new marriage vows, but no explanation for the divorce was given.