About Her Majesty The Queen Jetsun Pema
Jetsun Pema was born in Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, in the capital city, Thimphu, Bhutan, on 4th June 1990.
She is the second eldest child amongst her five siblings. She has two brothers, Thinlay Norbu and Jigme Namgyel, and two sisters, Serchen Doma and Yeatso Lhamo. Her eldest sister, Yeatso Lhamo is married to the fifth King’s brother, Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
While Jetsun Pema herself is considered a commoner, her family has many royal connections; her mother, Aum Sonam Choki is a descendant of one of Bhutan's oldest noble families from the family of Bumthang Pangtey.
Her maternal grandfather is the half-brother of Mayum Phuntsho Choden and Mayum Pema Dechan, sisters who are both queen consorts to Jigme Wangchuck, the second King of Bhutan.
Her father, Dhondup Gyaltshen is the grandson of two Trashigang Dzongpens (governors of Trashigang), Thinley Topgay and Ugyen Tshering. He has been a commercial pilot with Druk Air since 1989.
Education Background and Interests
Jetsun Pema has attended various schools and pursued education within and beyond Bhutan during her youth.
Aside from being an outstanding student, Jetsun Pema was also active in sports, in fact, she used to serve as a captain in her high school basketball team and compete in tournaments. While in school, she also participated in bands and dance programmes. This holistically well rounded Jetsun is also interested in art, photography, and Bhutanese traditional music. She is trilingual and speaks fluent Dzongkha, English and Hindi.