Elder sister of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Princess Galyani Vadhana, 84, the elder sister of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died today of abdominal cancer at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, the royal palace announced.
Galyani’s passing came after the 80-year-old king himself recovered from the symptoms of a stroke in October.
The princess was noted for her interest in the arts, especially theater and classical music, a taste cultivated when she, like the king, was educated in Switzerland, where she spent much time until later life.
She spoke five languages and loved to travel, documenting many of her journeys in books. She was born in London on May 6, 1923, the eldest child of Prince Mahidol -- a son of King Chulalongkorn -- and his commoner wife, Sangwal.
Galyani married Col. Aram Ratanakul Serireungriddhi, a royal aide but a commoner, in 1944, which meant she had to give up her royal title. The couple had a daughter but were divorced in 1949. The royal title was restored by Bhumibol in 1950.
She was married again in 1969 to Prince Varananda Dhavaj, a professional pilot, who died in 1990.
Galyani taught French language and literature at Thai universities after World War II, though she had graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Lausanne.
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