Queen Sirikit of Thailand Dies at 93: A Royal Legacy Remembered
Queen Sirikit, the beloved former queen consort of Thailand and widow of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), passed away on Friday night at the age of 93. Her death was confirmed by a statement from the Thai royal palace, citing complications from blood sepsis as the cause.
Known affectionately as the Queen Mother, Sirikit had been largely out of public view since suffering a debilitating stroke in 2012. Her passing marks the end of an era for a nation that revered her not only for her elegance and grace but also for her deep commitment to rural development, cultural preservation, and national unity.
A Life of Duty and Devotion
Born on August 12, 1932, into the Kitiyakara royal family, Sirikit was the daughter of Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara and Mom Luang Bua Snidvongs—an actress and royal courtier. Her formative years were spent in Europe, where her father served as Thailand’s ambassador to France.
It was in Switzerland in 1948 that her life changed forever. There, she met the young King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was recovering from a near-fatal car accident. Their romance blossomed quickly, and they were secretly engaged in July 1949. The couple married on April 28, 1950—just days before King Bhumibol’s formal coronation as Rama IX.
Global Glamour and National Service
In the 1960s, Queen Sirikit became a global fashion icon, appearing four times on the International Best-Dressed List. Whether in haute couture or traditional Thai silk, she captivated world leaders and citizens alike during state visits across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Yet her influence extended far beyond style. Alongside the king, she visited hundreds of rural development projects throughout Thailand. On her own initiative, she founded the Support Foundation to empower rural women by promoting and marketing Thai handicrafts—especially handwoven textiles.
Political Influence and Public Sympathy
Though Thailand’s monarchy is constitutionally apolitical, Queen Sirikit gradually built her own sphere of influence. Her royal guard evolved into a powerful faction within the armed forces, and she became a vocal supporter of royalist causes during the nation’s turbulent political clashes in the 2000s.
In a rare but symbolic move, she attended the funeral of a royalist protester killed in 2008—a gesture that resonated deeply with conservative Thais and signaled her alignment with grassroots royalists during a time of national division.
Family and Legacy
Queen Sirikit and King Bhumibol had four children:
- Princess Ubol Ratana – MIT graduate, former U.S. resident, returned to royal duties in 2006
- Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn – Unmarried scholar and cultural advocate
- Princess Chulabhorn – Chemist with a PhD in organic chemistry
- King Maha Vajiralongkorn – Current monarch of Thailand, crowned in 2016 after his father’s death
Her birthday, August 12, is celebrated nationwide as Mother’s Day—a testament to her enduring image as the nurturing matriarch of the nation.
Final Years and National Mourning
After her 2012 stroke, Queen Sirikit made only rare public appearances. Her health struggles, including past bouts of depression and insomnia in the 1980s, were occasionally disclosed by her daughters—but never diminished public affection for her.
Following her death, Thailand has entered a period of official mourning. Flags are flying at half-mast, and tributes are pouring in from across the country and around the world.
