In brief
Queen Sirikit, the mother of current King Vajiralongkorn and wife to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died at 93 after a series of health issues. Known for her dedication to the Thai people, she was a pivotal figure in the monarchy and is celebrated for her contributions to Thailand during her six decades as queen.
Queen Sirikit, the mother of Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn, has died at the age of 93. She passed away peacefully in a Bangkok hospital at 21:21 local time on Friday.
The Thai Royal Household Bureau reported that Queen Sirikit had been suffering from several illnesses since 2019, including a recent blood infection.
For over sixty years, Queen Sirikit was married to Thailand's longest-reigning monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away in 2016.
After suffering a stroke in 2012, Queen Sirikit became less visible in public. The couple met while she was studying music in Paris, marrying just prior to King Bhumibol’s coronation in 1950.
Together, they traveled extensively and were often featured in international best-dressed lists during the 1960s. Her significance extended beyond fashion; she was seen as a maternal figure for the nation, with her birthday celebrated as Mother's Day.
In a rare 1980 BBC documentary, she stated, Kings and queens of Thailand have always been in close contact with the people, and they usually regard the king as the father of the nation, reflecting her deep connection with the Thai populace.
