Pema Dechen
Ashi Pema Dechen was the queen consort of Bhutan.
Early life
Ashi Pema Dechen was born in 1918 at Wangducholing Palace to Chumed Zhalgno, Dasho Jamyang and Ashi Decho, daughter of Ashi Yeshay Choden.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.Dasho Lam Nado.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, 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 Choki Wangmo Wangchuck.
- Prince Namgyel Wangchuck, 26th Penlop of Paro.
- Princess Deki Yangzom Wangchuck.
- Princess Pema Choden Wangchuck.