Pema Dechen

Ashi Pema Dechen (1918–1991) was the Queen consort of Bhutan.[2]

Pema Dechen
Queen Pema Dechen in 1932
Queen consort of Bhutan
Tenure	1932 – 30 March 1952
Predecessor	Phuntsho Choden
Successor	Kesang Choden
Co-queen consort	Phuntsho Choden
Born	1918 Wangducholing Palace, Bumthang
Died	1991 (aged 72–73) Samchoeling Palace, Trongsa
Spouse	Jigme Wangchuck ​ ( m. 1932; died 1952)
Issue	Princess Choki Wangmo Wangchuck Prince Namgyel Wangchuck Princess Deki Yangzom Wangchuck Princess Pema Choden Wangchuck
Full name Pema Dechen Wangchuck[fn 1]
House	Wangchuck (by marriage)
Father	Dasho Jamyang, Chumed Zhalgno[1]
Mother	Ashi Decho Dorji
Religion	Buddhism

Early life

Ashi Pema Dechen was born in 1918 at Wangducholing Palace to Chumed Zhalgno, Dasho Jamyang (of the Tamzhing Choji family – also known as the Myo family -) and Ashi Decho, daughter of Ashi Yeshay Choden (who was the sister of Druk Gyalpo Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck).[3]

She had two full-brothers and two full-sisters, and another half-siblings by the second marriages of her parents:

• Dasho Gonpo Dorji, Chumed Zhalgno.
• Ashi Phuntsho Choden (1911–2003).
• Dasho Lam Nado (1920–1989).
• Ashi Chimi.

From an early age, Ashi Pema Dechen received a traditional education.

Marriage and Family

She married Bhutan's second king, a cross cousin, Jigme Wangchuck, in 1932 when she was 14 years old.[4] They were second cousins. Ashi Pema Dechen was the half-sister of the maternal grandfather of the current Queen of Bhutan, Jetsun Pema, and she was the great grandmother of the Fifth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Her elder sister, Ashi Phuntsho Choden (1911–2003), was the first wife of her husband since 1923 when she was 12 years old, at Thinley Rabten Palace, Phodrang.

Her children with the Second Druk Gyalpo were:

• Princess (Druk Gyalsem) Choki Wangmo Wangchuck (born 1937).
• Prince (Druk Gyalsey) Namgyel Wangchuck, 26th Penlop of Paro (born 1943).
• Princess (Druk Gyalsem) Deki Yangzom Wangchuck (born 1946).
• Princess (Druk Gyalsem) Pema Choden Wangchuck (born 1949).

Death

She died in 1991 at Samchoeling Palace.[5]

Titles, styles and honours

Styles of Queen Grandmother Pema Dechen
Reference style	Her Majesty
Spoken style	Your Majesty
Alternative style	The Royal Grandmother

Titles and styles

• 1918–1932: Ashi Pema Dechen.
• 1932 – 30 March 1952: Her Majesty Queen Pema Dechen, The Queen of Bhutan.
• 30 March 1952 – 21 July 1972: Her Majesty Queen Pema Dechen, The Queen Mother of Bhutan.
• 21 July 1972 – 1991: Her Majesty Queen Pema Dechen, The Queen Grandmother of Bhutan.

Honours

•  Bhutan :
  • King Jigme Singye Investiture Medal (2 June 1974).

Ancestry

Ancestors of Pema Dechen

4. Lamala 2. Jamyang, Chumed Zhalgno 5. Kunzang Lhamo 1. Pema Dechen 24. Ugyen Phuntsho, 8th Trongsa Penlop (= 30) 12. Pema Tenzin, Penlop of Jakar 25. Rinchen Pelmo (= 31) 6. Chimi Dorji, Dzongpon of Thimphu 13. Lhamo 3. Decho Dorji 28. Pila Gonpo Wangyal 14. Jigme Namgyal, 10th Trongsa Penlop and 51st Druk Desi 29. Sonam Pedzom 7. Yeshay Choden 30. Ugyen Phuntsho, 8th Trongsa Penlop (= 24) 15. Pema Choki 31. Rinchen Pelmo (= 25)

References

1. "Thukten Shedrup Dargay Choling – Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators".
2. "Central Tibetan Administration Mourns the Demise of Bhutanese Gayum Phuntsho Choden". Retrieved 15 September 2014.
3. "Central Tibetan Administration Mourns the Demise of Bhutanese Gayum Phuntsho Choden". Phayul.com.
4. "WANGCHUCK DYNASTY. 100 Years of Enlightened Monarchy in Bhutan. Lham Dorji" (PDF).
5. Painting of Queen Ashi Pema Dechen. Courtesy: Namden Dorji

1. Women in Bhutan retain their names upon marriage.

Pema Dechen House of Wangchuck Born: 1918 Died: 1991
Bhutanese royalty
Preceded by Phuntsho Choden	Queen consort of Bhutan 1932–1952	Succeeded by Kesang Choden
Preceded by –	Queen Mother of Bhutan 1952–1972	Succeeded by Kesang Choden
Preceded by –	Queen Grandmother of Bhutan 1972–1991	Succeeded by Kesang Choden