Who is the Sultan of Brunei?
Al-Muhtadee Billah is the currently the Sultan of Brunei. He was born on July 15, 1946 in Brunei Town (now called Bandar Seri Begawan). He became crown prince in 1961 and sultan on October 5, 1967, after his father abdicated voluntarily. His coronation was held on August 1, 1968. Like his father, he has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, of which Brunei was a protectorate until 1984. The Sultan has a sizable private fortune derived from his total control over the national economy’s finances and the appropriation of the state’s sizeable oil revenues to bankroll his extravagant lifestyle. Forbes estimates his net worth at $22 billion and is famous for his vast automobile collection. He is married to Her Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha and Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar and was married to Hajah Mariam (divorced in February 2003). Together, they have 11 children: 1. HRH Princess Rashidah (DOB: 26 July 1969; d/o Queen Saleha) 2. HRH Princess Muta-Wakkilah (DOB: 12 O
