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Pema Dechen

1918 – 1991

Bhutanese queen

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About Pema Dechen

Lived 1918 – 1991 (aged 72–73).

Ashi Pema Dechen (1918–1991) was the queen consort of Bhutan.

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).

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. They were second cousins and she was his second wife. 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.

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Important facts

Born
1918
Birth century
Died
1991
Nationality
Bhutan

Family & relationships

Spouse
Jigme Wangchuck

People in Pema Dechen's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Pema Dechen's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Pema Dechen?

Bhutanese queen

When was Pema Dechen born?

Pema Dechen was born in 1918.

When did Pema Dechen die?

Pema Dechen died in 1991.

What nationality was Pema Dechen?

Pema Dechen's recorded nationality: Bhutan.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Pema Dechen

· Wikidata: Q67201620

· DBpedia: Pema Dechen

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Pema Dechen. https://biography.guide/pema-dechen/

MLA: "Pema Dechen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/pema-dechen/.

Chicago: "Pema Dechen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/pema-dechen/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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