King Bhumibol.

ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช Bhumibala Aduladeja

Born 5 Dec 1927 Cambridge, United States

Died 13 Oct 2016 Bangkok, Thailand

Citizenship Thailand

Would Be 98 yr If Living

8 min read

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Feb 22, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

King Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended the throne on June 9, 1946 after his brother King Ananda Mahidol’s death. He reigned for 70 years until his death on October 13, 2016 in Bangkok, the longest reign in Thai history. He married Queen Sirikit in 1950; they had two children: Princess Ubol Ratana and King Vajiralongkorn. Among his many honors were the UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award and the Gold Olympic Order.

Identity & family.

KIN · 5

Names, aliases, and relatives of King Bhumibol — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Bhumibala Aduladeja

Native Name ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช

SPOUSES: Queen Sirikit
CHILDREN: Princess Ubol Ratana of Thailand Vajiralongkorn
SIBLINGS: Galyani Vadhana Ananda Mahidol

At a glance.

STATS

King Bhumibol by the numbers — life, work, and family.

88 Years lived

66 Awards

1 Marriage

2 Children

Who was King Bhumibol?

BIOGRAPHY

King Bhumibol — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Born on December 5, 1927 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, King Bhumibol Adulyadej arrived while his father studied at Harvard University. He was the youngest son of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej and Princess Srinagarindra; his older brother Ananda Mahidol later became King. His education began at Mater Dei School in Bangkok, then Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande in Switzerland, and finally the University of Lausanne.

Career

King Bhumibol ascended to the throne on June 9, 1946 after the mysterious death of his brother King Ananda Mahidol. He was crowned on May 5, 1950, and married Queen Sirikit that month. His development work earned him the UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour and the Gold Olympic Order, among many other honors.

Personal life

King Bhumibol married Queen Sirikit on April 28, 1950, shortly after his coronation. They had two children: Princess Ubol Ratana and King Vajiralongkorn. His siblings included Princess Galyani Vadhana and King Ananda Mahidol. In 2004, he suffered a personal tragedy when his grandson Poom Jensen died in the Indian Ocean tsunami that struck Phuket, Thailand.

Legacy

King Bhumibol’s 70-year reign made him the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history. He received the UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award and the Gold Olympic Order. A 5 baht commemorative stamp marked his 87th birthday on December 5, 2014.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 66

Every award, honor, and recognition received by King Bhumibol — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece
Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit
Gold Olympic Order
Order of the Crown of the Realm
Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Saint Olav
Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania
Royal Victorian Chain
Grand Order of Mugunghwa
Royal Order of the Seraphim
Order of the Queen of Sheba
Knight of the Order of the Elephant
Collar of the Spanish Order of the Civil Merit
Order of the Crown of Brunei
Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Cambodia
Grand cross of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol
Order of Pahlavi
Collar of the Order of Charles III
Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Order of Sikatuna
Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer
Star of the Republic of Indonesia
Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Netherlands Lion
Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX
Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín
UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award
Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria
Thiri Thudhamma Thingaha
Grand Cross of the Sash of the Three Orders
Nishan-e-Pakistan
Order of Brilliant Jade
Nepal Pratap Bhaskara
Royal Family Order of Selangor
Royal Family Order of Terengganu
Order of the Rajamitrabhorn
Order of the Royal House of Chakri
Order of the Nine Gems
Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of Chula Chom Klao
Order of Rama
Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Crown of Thailand
Order of the Direkgunabhorn
Order of Ramkeerati
Bravery Medal
Dushdi Mala Medal
Chakra Mala Medal
Grand Cross of the Order of Merit
Order of al-Hussein bin Ali
Order of Good Hope
President's Medal
Order of the Yugoslav Star
Grand cross of the Order of the White Lion
Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry
Order of Stara Planina
Order of Merit for National Foundation
Grand Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honour Philippines
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Throne
Order of the Liberator
Bronze Wolf Award
honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
honorary doctorate of University of Perpignan
honorary doctor of Massey University

Did you know?

FACTS · 3

Little-known facts about King Bhumibol — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Served as King of Thailand from June 9, 1946, until his death on October 13, 2016, making him the longest-reigning monarch in the country’s history.
His grandson Poom Jensen died in the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that struck Phuket, Thailand. He was reportedly jet skiing when the tidal wave hit, and his body was found later.
Featured on a 5 baht Thai commemorative postage stamp issued on December 5, 2014, for his 87th birthday.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 30

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about King Bhumibol.

When was King Bhumibol born?

King Bhumibol was born on December 5, 1927. This makes his birthday a national holiday in Thailand, celebrated as Father’s Day.
Where was King Bhumibol born?

He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, at the time his father was studying at Harvard University. He was the only monarch born in the United States.
When did King Bhumibol die?

King Bhumibol died on October 13, 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand. His death ended a 70-year reign.
How old was King Bhumibol when they died?

He was 88 years old at the time of his death. He was born on December 5, 1927 and passed away on October 13, 2016.
Where did King Bhumibol die?

He died in Bangkok, Thailand at Siriraj Hospital. His death was announced after a period of illness.
What is King Bhumibol's real name?

His birth name was Bhumibala Aduladeja. He was later known as King Bhumibol Adulyadej after his coronation.
What is King Bhumibol's name in their native language?

In Thai, his name is written as ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช. It translates to Strength of the Land.
What nationality is King Bhumibol?

He was Thai by citizenship. His nationality is Thailand, and he served as the King of Thailand.
What language does King Bhumibol speak?

His native language was Thai. He also spoke English and studied French and German while in Switzerland.
Who is King Bhumibol married to?

He was married to Queen Sirikit. They wed in 1950 and she served as queen consort throughout his reign.
Does King Bhumibol have children?

Yes, he had two children: Princess Ubol Ratana and King Vajiralongkorn. King Vajiralongkorn succeeded him as the current monarch.
Does King Bhumibol have any siblings?

Yes, he had two siblings: Princess Galyani Vadhana and King Ananda Mahidol. His brother Ananda preceded him as king.
Where did King Bhumibol go to school?

He attended Mater Dei School in Bangkok, Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande, and the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.
What awards has King Bhumibol won?

He received over 60 major awards, including the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, Gold Olympic Order, and the UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award.
How many awards has King Bhumibol won?

He won a total of 66 major awards from various countries.
What is King Bhumibol's height?

He was 5 feet 8 inches 1.72 meters tall.
How long did King Bhumibol reign?

He reigned for 70 years, from June 9, 1946 until his death on October 13, 2016. He was the longest-reigning monarch at the time of his death.
How did King Bhumibol's grandson die?

His grandson Poom Jensen died in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami while jet skiing off Phuket. His body was found later.
Was King Bhumibol featured on a stamp?

Yes, he appeared on a 5 baht commemorative stamp issued on December 5, 2014, to celebrate his 87th birthday.
Who succeeded King Bhumibol as King of Thailand?

His son King Vajiralongkorn succeeded him. He was formally crowned in 2019.
What year did King Bhumibol's reign begin?

His reign began in 1946 after the death of his brother King Ananda Mahidol. He was officially crowned in 1950.
What year did his reign end?

His reign ended in 2016 when he passed away. This spanned from June 9, 1946 to October 13, 2016.
How many years did King Bhumibol reign in total?

He reigned for exactly 70 years, 126 days, the longest reign in Thai history.
What is the most notable award King Bhumibol received?

The UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award is among his most notable, recognizing his work in development. He also received the Gold Olympic Order.
What was King Bhumibol's role in Thailand?

He served as the King of Thailand, a constitutional monarch and head of state.
Where in the United States was King Bhumibol born?

He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where his father was studying at Harvard University.
What school did he attend in Bangkok?

He attended Mater Dei School in Bangkok.
What schools did he attend in Switzerland?

He studied at Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande and later the University of Lausanne.
What was the name of King Bhumibol's sister?

His sister was Princess Galyani Vadhana.
What was the name of King Bhumibol's brother?

His brother was King Ananda Mahidol, who reigned before him from 1935 until his death in 1946. Ananda’s death led to Bhumibol’s accession.

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Olivia has 6 years of experience writing biographical profiles and still approaches every subject like it's the first one. She covers everyone from debut musicians to Hall of Fame athletes to novelists most people have never heard of. She finds something worth reading in all of them. Her drafts tend to come in already clean, which her editor appreciates. She says good writing is just good thinking written down. Hard to argue with that.

Published on February 22, 2026

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