Wives of Hussein of Jordan

Wives of King Hussein of Jordan
and years of marriage

Dina bint Abdul-Hamid
m. 1955–1957

Antoinette Gardiner (Princess Muna al-Hussein)
m. 1961–1972

Alia Toukan (Queen Alia)
m. 1972–1977

Lisa Halaby (Queen Noor)
m. 1978–1999

Hussein (14 November 1935 – 7 February 1999) was King of Jordan from 1952 until his death. During his lifetime, he was married four times, and his wives played significant roles in his personal life and, to varying extents, in the public and political spheres of Jordan. His wives are: Sharifa Dina bint Abdul-Hamid, Princess Muna Al Hussein, Queen Alia Toukan, and Queen Noor of Jordan.

His four marriages brought diverse and influential women into the Jordanian royal family, the Hashemites. Each of his wives made unique contributions to the kingdom, from promoting social and educational initiatives to engaging in international diplomacy. Their legacies continue to shape Jordanian society and the royal family's public image.

Overview

Photo dated in 1955, King Hussein of Jordan stands alongside Dina bint 'Abdu'l-Hamid on their wedding day. This is King Hussein's first wedding, as he was only 19 years old.

The four women who were married to King Hussein of Jordan, in chronological order by their marriages:

No.	Name	Real name	Marriage dates and length	Fate of marriage	Issue and fate
1	Sharifa Dina bint Abdul-Hamid	Dina bint Abdul-Hamid (Arabic: دينا بنت عبد الحميد)	19 April 1955 – 24 June 1957 (2 years, 2 months and 5 days)	Divorced	Mother of Princess Alia bint Hussein. Died 21 August 2019.
2	Princess Muna Al Hussein	Toni Avril Gardiner (Arabic: انطوانيت غاردنر)	25 May 1961 – 21 December 1972 (11 years, 6 months and 26 days)	Divorced	Mother of Crown Prince Abdullah, Prince Faisal, Princess Aisha, and Princess Zein. Continues to live in Jordan.
3	Queen Alia al-Hussein	Alia Bahauddin Toukan (Arabic: علياء بهاء الدين طوقان)	24 December 1972 – 9 February 1977 (4 years, 1 month and 16 days)	Ended with Alia's death	Mother of Princess Haya and Prince Ali. Adopted Abir Muhaisen. Died 9 February 1977 in a helicopter crash.
4	Queen Noor of Jordan	Lisa Najeeb Halaby (Arabic: ليزا نجيب الحلبي)	15 June 1978 – 7 February 1999 (20 years, 7 months and 23 days)	Widowed	Mother of Prince Hamzah, Prince Hashim, Princess Iman, and Princess Raiyah. Active in philanthropy and global peace advocacy.

King Hussein's first marriage to Sharifa Dina bint Abdul-Hamid lasted approximately two years, while his subsequent three marriages had varying durations, with the longest being his marriage to Queen Noor.

It's reported that King Hussein had an extramarital relationship with the American Jewish actress Susan Cabot, resulting in an alleged illegitimate son named Timothy. Both Susan and Timothy reportedly received financial support from the Jordanian royal funds for an extended period. Tragically, in 1986, Timothy was involved in his mother's death. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, served a prison term, and passed away in 2003.

Details

As known in popular culture: Sharifa Dina bint Abdul-Hamid, Princess Muna Al Hussein, Queen Alia al-Hussein, and Queen Noor of Jordan. A well-known saying for their experiences is: "Divorced, divorced, died; divorced, widowed."

Further information: Annulment and Divorce

The epigram divorced, died, and widowed is widely known to scholars of Jordanian history, but there are a few historical nuances to consider.

As for the fates of the wives, the poem could actually be "Annulled, died; annulled, widowed" considering that King Hussein of Jordan divorced two of his marriages.

Sharifa Dina bint Abdul-Hamid

Main article: Dina bint Abdul-Hamid

Sharifa Dina bint Abdul-Hamid was born on December 15, 1929, in Cairo, Egypt. She hailed from a prestigious family of Hashemite lineage and was a distant cousin of King Hussein. Dina was highly educated, having studied at University of Cambridge and later obtaining a degree in English literature from the University of London. She also worked as a lecturer in English literature at Cairo University.

Dina married King Hussein on April 19, 1955, in a marriage arranged to solidify ties within the Hashemite family and reinforce Hussein's position as King. At the time of their marriage, Dina was 26 years old, and King Hussein was only 19. The marriage was short-lived, with the couple divorcing in 1957. They had one daughter, Princess Alia bint Hussein, born in 1956.

The marriage was troubled from the start due to their differing personalities, expectations, and significant political and familial pressures. Dina was six years older than Hussein and more Westernized, which contrasted sharply with the young King's background and the influences surrounding him, notably his domineering mother, Queen Zein, and his uncle Sharif Nasser bin Jamil. Tensions were evident during their honeymoon, which included state visits to Spain and Britain. Despite the birth of their daughter, Princess Alia, in February 1956, their relationship deteriorated further. Dina, who had expected to play a significant role as Queen, found herself at odds with Queen Zein and was increasingly marginalized.

In the autumn of 1956, while Dina was visiting Egypt to see her injured father, King Hussein, influenced by his mother, decided to separate from her. The official narrative was that Dina had gone on a holiday and failed to return, but in reality, she was not allowed to come back to Jordan. Their divorce was finalized in 1957, and Dina was thereafter known as Princess Dina Abdul-Hamid of Jordan. Following the divorce, Princess Dina was denied access to her daughter for seven years. In 1962, she publicly appealed to King Hussein for visitation rights, but his response, influenced by Queen Zein, was negative. It wasn't until 1963, after the intervention of Hussein's second wife, Queen Muna, that Dina was allowed to see Princess Alia again. After her divorce, Dina returned to academia and became a notable figure in Palestinian and Arab cultural circles. She later married Asad Sulayman Abd al-Qadir, alias Salah Ta'amari, a Palestinian diplomat, and continued to be active in social and political causes until her death on August 21, 2019.

Princess Muna al-Hussein

Main article: Princess Muna Al Hussein

Hussein bin Talal and Princess Antoinette Avril Gardiner (Muna al-Hussein) wedding on May 25, 1961, IMS Vintage Photos.

Princess Muna al-Hussein was born Antoinette Avril Gardiner on April 25, 1941, in Chelmondiston, Suffolk, England. Her father, Walter Percy Gardiner, was a British Army officer. She grew up in the United Kingdom and later worked as a secretary. Antoinette met King Hussein while working as a secretary on the set of the film "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), which was being filmed in Jordan. They married on May 25, 1961, and she converted to Islam, taking the name Muna al-Hussein. Their marriage lasted until 1972, and they had four children together: Crown Prince Abdullah (later King Abdullah II), Prince Faisal, Princess Aisha, and Princess Zein.

Despite their long marriage, Princess Muna was never proclaimed Queen, likely due to her foreign origins. On December 24, 1971, King Hussein divorced Princess Muna and subsequently married Alia Toukan, a Jordanian from the Israeli-occupied West Bank, who became Queen of Jordan.

Following the divorce, Princess Muna retained custody of their four children and was given Humar Palace, located 15 miles west of Amman. The divorce marked the end of their decade-long marriage but Princess Muna continued to live in Jordan and remained involved in the lives of her children. Following their divorce, Princess Muna continued to live in Jordan, remaining active in social and charitable activities, particularly in the fields of nursing and education. She played a crucial role in developing the Jordanian nursing sector and continues to be a respected figure in Jordanian society.

Queen Alia al-Hussein

Main article: Alia Toukan

King Hussein and Queen Alia with their children, Princess Haya and Prince Ali in 1974.

Queen Alia al-Hussein was born Alia Bahauddin Toukan on December 25, 1948, in Cairo, Egypt. Her father was a Jordanian diplomat, and she grew up in various countries, including Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Jordan. Alia studied at Loyola University in Chicago and later at Hunter College in New York City, earning a degree in political science.

Alia married King Hussein on December 24, 1972. She became deeply involved in social and humanitarian efforts in Jordan, focusing on women's rights, children's welfare, and the arts. Alia was instrumental in founding the Alia Foundation and the Queen Alia Fund for Social Development. The couple had two children: Princess Haya and Prince Ali. They also adopted a third child, Abir Muhaisen.

Queen Alia of Jordan died on February 9, 1977, while returning from a visit to Tafila Hospital in southern Jordan. The military helicopter she was traveling in crashed due to stormy weather, despite warnings from King Hussein not to undertake the trip that day. The crash also claimed the lives of the Minister of Health, Muhammad Al-Bashir, the pilot Badr Al-Din Zaza, a friend of King Hussein, the military doctor, and Muhannad Al-Khas, Queen Alia's personal attendant. After confirming the accident at 17:30, King Hussein announced her death on television and radio and declared seven days of mourning throughout Jordan. Queen Alia was buried on February 11 in the grounds of the Hashemite Palace, a residence that had been completed just three months prior. Her funeral was attended by dignitaries including Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, German Foreign Minister Hans Dietrich, Empress Farah of Iran, Queen Sophia of Spain, and Jehan Sadat. The farewell ceremony included a 21-gun salute as her body was interred next to a tree she had planted.

Her death was a significant loss for the nation, and she is remembered for her compassionate efforts to improve the lives of Jordanians. The international airport in Amman, Queen Alia International Airport, is named in her honor.

Queen Noor of Jordan

Main article: Queen Noor of Jordan

Queen Noor in 1998

Queen Noor of Jordan was born Lisa Najeeb Halaby on August 23, 1951, in Washington, D.C., United States. Her father, Najeeb Halaby, was a prominent Syrian-American businessman and former CEO of Pan American World Airways. Lisa Halaby attended Princeton University, where she graduated with a degree in architecture and urban planning.

She was often considered the favorite wife of the late King Hussein of Jordan. A Syrian-American, she pursued a career in urban planning in the US, Australia, and Iran before meeting King Hussein in the 1970s. Lisa Halaby met King Hussein in 1977 while working on development projects in Jordan. Following a largely secret courtship, they married on June 15, 1978, and she converted to Islam, adopting the name Noor al-Hussein. Known for her philanthropic work, Queen Noor remained the King's consort until his death. Queen Noor became actively involved in numerous cultural, educational, and environmental initiatives in Jordan, founding the Noor Al Hussein Foundation and the King Hussein Foundation, among others. The couple had four children: Prince Hamzah, Prince Hashim, Princess Iman, and Princess Raiyah.

Since King Hussein's death in 1999, Queen Noor has continued her philanthropic work and remains a prominent advocate for global peace and justice. She is involved with various international organizations and speaks frequently on issues such as conflict resolution, sustainable development, and nuclear disarmament. Her memoir, "Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life," provides a detailed account of her life and experiences as queen.

Spouses and their offspring

Actress Susan Cabot, circa 1950, is the individual mentioned in the claim to be the mistress of the king and the mother of an illegitimate child.

• Sharifa Dina bint Abdul-Hamid
  • Princess Alia bint Hussein (born in 1956). Married first to Nasser Wasfi Mirza, they have one child together, a son, Hussein. They divorced in 1987. She remarried in 1988 to Sayyid Mohammed Al-Saleh; they have two sons, Talal and Abdul-Hamid.
• Antoinette Gardiner (Princess Muna)
  • Abdullah II of Jordan (born in 1962). The current King of Jordan. Married to Rania Al-Yassin. They have four children: Crown Prince Hussein, Princess Iman, Princess Salma and Prince Hashem.
  • Prince Faisal bin Hussein (born in 1963). Married first to Alia Tabbaa (now known as Princess Alia Tabbaa). They have four children: Princess Ayah, Prince Omar, and twins Princess Sara and Princess Aisha. They divorced in 2008. He remarried in 2010 to Sara Qabbani and divorced in 2013. He is now married to Zeina Lubadeh, with whom he has two sons, Prince Abdullah and Prince Muhammad.
  • Princess Aisha bint Hussein (born in 1968, twin with her sister Zein). Married to Zeid Juma, they have two children, a son, Aoun, and a daughter, Muna. They are now divorced. She married Ashraf Banayoti in 2016 and divorced him in the same year.
  • Princess Zein bint Hussein (born in 1968, twin with her sister Aisha). Married to Majdi Al-Saleh, they have two children: a son Jaafar and a daughter Jumana, and an adopted daughter called Tahani Al-Shawan.
• Alia Bahauddin Toukan (Queen Alia Al-Hussein)
  • Princess Haya bint Hussein (born in 1974). President of the Fédération Équestre Internationale 2008–2014. Formerly married to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. They have two children: Sheikha Jalila and Sheikh Zayed.
  • Prince Ali bin Hussein (born in 1975). Married to Rym Brahimi now known as Princess Rym al-Ali. They have two children, Princess Jalilah and Prince Abdullah.
  • Abir Muhaisen (born in 1972, adopted by Hussein and Alia in 1976).
• Lisa Najeeb Halaby (Queen Noor)
  • Hamzah bin Hussein (born in 1980). Married first to Princess Noor bint Asem, third daughter of Prince Asem bin Nayef, by his first wife, Princess Firouzeh Vokhshouri. Princess Noor became Princess Noor al-Hamzah upon her marriage. Together they have a daughter, Princess Haya. They divorced in 2009. He remarried in 2012 to Princess Basmah Bani Ahmad (née Al-Outom); they have four daughters and a son: Princess Zein, Princess Noor, Princess Badiya, Princess Nafisa and Prince Hussein.
  • Prince Hashim bin Hussein (born in 1981). Married to Princess Fahdah (née Abunayyan). They have three daughters and two sons: Princess Halaah, Princess Rayet Al-Noor, Princess Fatima Al-Alia, Prince Hussein Haidara and Prince Mohammad Al Hassan.
  • Princess Iman bint Hussein (born in 1983). Married to Zaid Azmi Mirza, together they have a son, Omar.
  • Princess Raiyah bint Hussein (born in 1986).

The arrival of King Hussein at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, on Mar 30, 1959.

In April 1959, during a visit to Los Angeles, King Hussein of Jordan, then 23 years old, expressed a desire for "female companionship," as documented in declassified CIA files. Susan Cabot, a 32-year-old Jewish-American actress known for her roles in B-movies, caught the attention of the young monarch at a party during his visit. Despite potential social and political complications due to their differing religious backgrounds, their relationship flourished, aided by arrangements made by the CIA. These arrangements included the rental of a house in Long Beach, Long Island, where Hussein and Cabot could meet discreetly.

The relationship between Hussein and Cabot continued for several years, marked by tabloid speculation about their involvement. In 1961, Cabot gave birth to a son, Timothy, whose paternity was long rumored to be linked to Hussein. Timothy, born with dwarfism, was later adopted by Cabot's second husband, Michael Roman. Their relationship, shrouded in secrecy, posed potential challenges given Hussein's status as a Muslim monarch and Cabot's Jewish background.

Tragedy struck in December 1986 when Susan Cabot was found beaten to death in her San Fernando Valley home. Her son, Timothy Roman, was arrested and later convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He was subsequently convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served a prison sentence before passing away in 2003. During Timothy's trial, revelations emerged regarding financial support Cabot received from the Jordanian royal family, suggesting a possible link to Timothy's paternity. Evidence presented in court indicated regular payments of $1,500 per month to Cabot from Jordanian authorities, raising questions about the true nature of their relationship.

Despite efforts to maintain secrecy, details of the affair between King Hussein and Susan Cabot became public knowledge following the trial and subsequent media scrutiny. The revelation of this clandestine relationship added a layer of complexity to Hussein's personal life, overshadowing his political responsibilities as the monarch of Jordan. The affair highlighted the challenges faced by public figures navigating personal relationships amid the scrutiny of the public eye.