Jigme Singye Wangchuck - Former King of Bhutan, Career and Childhood

Jigme Singye Wangchuck was born on 11 November 1955, to King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and Queen Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck at Dechencholing Palace, Thimphu, as the royal couple’s only son. He has four sisters.

His formal education began at the age of six. Later he studied in St. Joseph’s college in Darjeeling following which he moved to England to attend Heatherdown Prep School.

In 1969 he began studying at Namselling Palace before attending the newly established Ugyen Wangchuck Academy at Satsham Choten in Paro in 1970.

A teenager by now, he spent a lot of time with his father, learning leadership skills from the experienced king. In order to prepare him for future monarchy, his father appointed him as the first Chairperson of the Planning Commission in 1971 when the Crown Prince was in his mid-teens. In 1972, the young prince was assigned the symbolic rank of Trongsa Penlop, the Governor of Trongsa.

In 1972, his father, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck died suddenly, and Jigme Singye, aged just 16, succeeded to the throne. The young king continued with his father’s reform and development policies, focusing on infrastructure, education, and health. In addition, he also implemented steps to preserve Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage and natural environment.

During the 1970s, intensive valley projects, cash crops cultivation, and enhancing the economic status of the poor became the main focus of planned development in the country. Several steps were undertaken with the aim of achieving the vision of food self-sufficiency and income generation.

The king felt that “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product,” and this became the guideline for the measurement of development in the country. Over the years, Bhutan saw unprecedented growth under the leadership of the king.

He focused greatly on infrastructural development. In 1974, there were networks of 1,332 km of roads which had grown to 4,544 km by the end of his reign in 2006. Similarly, communication and technology also grew by leaps during his reign: there were just 24 wireless stations in the country in 1974 with 480 telephone connections compared to 31,526 in 2006.

The king, deeply devoted to the welfare of his subjects promoted educational and training facilities in the nation which benefitted thousands of young students. The number of students enrolled in schools rose from a meager 13,410 in 1974 to 151,260 or so in 2006. He launched a free education policy due to which school enrolment touched 90% by 2006.

During his reign better health services, safe drinking water and better nutrition have led to an average life expectancy of 66 years. By 2006, there was 90% free primary health coverage in Bhutan. The country also registered drastic decline in infant and maternal mortality rates due to improved medical facilities.

Over the period of his 34-year reign, the national income of the nation grew manifold and Bhutan fostered friendly relations with several countries around the world. Jigme Singye Wangchuk also initiated measures to preserve the country’s rich heritage and natural resources. His environmental policies resulted in vast areas of the country being devoted to parks and sanctuaries.

He was a much loved king to his people and a respected national leader in the international arena. During the 1990s, he began taking steps to lead Bhutan towards democracy, a step that was commended worldwide.

In 2006, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk abdicated the throne in favor of his eldest son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

In the 34 years of Jigme Singye Wangchuk’s reign, Bhutan has seen unprecedented socio-economic and cultural growth. The national income of the country, as measured by GDP, was Nu 2.4 billion in 1985. In 2006, it had increased to Nu 36.9 billion, which was a 15-fold increase in 21 years.

During his reign he focused on building strong international relationships with other countries including Bangladesh, Kuwait, Nepal, Japan, Norway, Finland, Austria, Singapore, Canada, and Thailand, among others. He also maintained close relations with India which has been Bhutan’s main development partner for the past several decades.

As the king, Jigme Singye Wangchuk initiated the process to democratize Bhutan. He relinquished absolute authority in the late 1990s and launched the Constitution of Bhutan to provide the legal framework for a democratic political system that is best suited for the nation. The Draft Constitution was released and its website was launched in 2005.

Jigme Singye Wangchuk is the recipient of several national honors including Grand Master of the Royal Order of Bhutan (1972), Grand Master of the Order of Great Victory of the Thunder Dragon (1985), and King Jigme Khesar Investiture Medal (2008).

The foreign honors bestowed upon him include Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (Japan, 1987), Member of the Order of Ojaswi Rajanya (Nepal, 1988), and Collar of the Order of Mubarak the Great (Kuwait, 1990).

Jigme Singye Wangchuck got married to four brides—all sisters—in the sacred Dechog Lhakhang in Punakha on 31 October 1979, corresponding with the auspicious Descending Day of Lord Buddha.

His four wives, the queens Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck are daughters of Yab Ugyen Dorji and Yum Thuji Zam. He has ten children.