Sharifah Rodziah Syed Alwi Barakbah

Early life

Born in 1920, Sharifah Rodziah is of Hadhrami-Malay descent; her Arab ancestors had migrated from Hadhramaut and settled in Kedah for several generations. Being of the Barakbah clan, she is related to Syed Sheh Hassan Barakbah, the former Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Penang.

Marriage

Sharifah Rodziah was actually the younger sister of Tunku's university mate in England, Syed Omar Barakbah. Tunku and Sharifah Rodziah married in 1939 when he returned to Kedah from England upon hearing news that World War II was about to erupt in Europe.

She became Tunku's third wife after the death of Meriam Chong and his divorce from Violet Coulson. However, the marriage did not result in any offspring. Sharifah Rodziah became a loving stepmother to Tunku's children from his first marriage to Meriam Chong. They later adopted three children, Sulaiman, Mariam and Faridah.

Tunku Abdul Rahman's eldest daughter, Tunku Khadijah said in an interview to The Star that Sharifah Rodziah "loved my father dearly to a fault. She did not want to share him with anyone else".

Influence

Sharifah Rodziah played an important role in rallying political support for her husband during Malaysia's tumultuous formative years.

Death

She died due to pneumonia, in Penang, on 12 March 2000 at the age of 80 and was buried next to her husband's grave, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj at Kedah Royal Mausoleum in Langgar, Kedah.

Honours

Honours of Malaysia

Malaysia

Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN) – Tun (1970)

Terengganu

Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Terengganu (SPMT) – Dato' (1964)

Places named after her

SMK Tun Sharifah Rodziah in Alor Setar, Kedah

SMK Agama Sharifah Rodziah in Telok Mas, Melaka

Tun Sharifah Rodziah Sea Base, located at Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE), Sabah

Piala Tun Sharifah Rodziah