Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei celebrated his 80th birthday today, marking nearly 60 years as the country’s absolute ruler. He became Sultan in 1967 at the age of 21 after his father, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, abdicated, and his official coronation was held the following year.
Sultan Hassanal is currently the world’s longest-reigning living monarch following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. During his reign, Brunei gained full independence from Britain in 1984 after being a British protectorate since 1888.
Brunei’s economy has grown through its oil and gas resources, making it one of ASEAN’s high-income countries. The Sultan serves as Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance and Economy, and Minister of Foreign Affairs under the country’s absolute monarchy system.
Oil and gas revenue has enabled the government to provide free education and healthcare, housing subsidies, and no personal income tax. Sultan Hassanal was also recognised by Fortune magazine in 1988 as the world’s richest individual, with an estimated personal wealth of US$25 billion.
The Sultan lives at Istana Nurul Iman, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest residential palace with more than 1,800 rooms. He has 12 children and has named Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah as the heir to the Brunei throne.
