Queen Saleha of Brunei
Saleha binti Mohamed Alam (born 7 October 1946) is the Queen of Brunei as the wife of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the current Sultan of Brunei. She is the daughter of Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohammad Alam and Pengiran Anak Hajah Besar. After her husband was crowned as the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei, she succeeded her mother-in-law, Pengiran Anak Damit, as Raja Isteri (Queen consort). She is the mother of Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah. Early life. Saleha was born at Kampong Sumbiling, Jalan Istana Darussalam in Brunei Town (now Bandar  Seri Begawan), Brunei Darussalam on 7 October 1946. Her name, Saleha, means "pious" or "virtuous" in Arabic. Saleha had her early education through private tuition at the "surau" (a large prayer hall) of "Istana Darul Hana". She also attended religious classes. She furthered her secondary education at Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri (STPRI) in Bandar Seri Begawan until 1965. When Saleha was young she sometimes did not wear a veil. Marriage and family life. On 28 July 1965, Saleha married her paternal first cousin, Pengiran Muda Mahkota (Crown Prince) Hassanal Bolkiah, who later became the 29th Sultan of Brunei. The  sultan's mother Raja Isteri (Queen Consort) Pengiran Anak Damit and Saleha's father Pengiran Anak Mohammad Alam were siblings. Saleha has two sons and four daughters. She has eighteen grandchildren (five from her daughter Princess Rashidah, four from her son Crown Prince Billah, two from her daughter Princess Majeedah, four from her daughter Princess Hafizah and three from her son Prince Abdul Malik), and her elder son is Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah. Social contributions. Saleha is the Patron to various organisations including the Women's Institute (WI), Pertiwi Association, PEKERTI, the Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam, the  Brunei Government Senior Officers Wives Welfare Association (BISTARI), the Women's Council of Brunei Darussalam, The Women Graduates' Association, and the Brunei Shell Women Association. Hobbies and interests. Being a lover of nature, Saleha has a fruit garden, a fish pond and a bird park. Her hobbies include reading, playing badminton as well as traditional Bruneian games such as Congkak and Pasang. Honours. She has been awarded :