Friends with Michael Jackson, private jets for Mariah Carey – remembering Brunei’s party-loving Prince Azim
The Sultan of Brunei’s billionaire son partied with Michael and Janet Jackson, sent Mariah Carey a US$5.7 million necklace via private jet, and gave out US$25,000 birthday party goodie bags – remembering the ‘the party-loving prince’, who died last week aged 38
He was rich, he loved to throw extravagant parties, and he boasted a posse of celebrity friends who were always by his side. Oh, and he was also fourth in line to Brunei’s throne.
Prince Azim, the son of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, died on October 24 in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. He was just 38. According to an Instagram post from younger brother Prince Abdul Mateen, he died of multiple organ failure, after being diagnosed with systemic vasculitis earlier this year. “At the same time, he was also coping with bipolar disorder which made the fight harder,” added Prince Mateen.
Although his death has shocked many, his legacy lives on. Here are six things about the Brunei royal that will not easily be forgotten.
He threw the best parties. Like, ever
Prince Azim was nicknamed “the party-loving prince” for a reason. As the son of one of the world’s richest men, he was known for throwing luxurious bashes in Hollywood. For his 25th birthday party, his goodie bags included a voucher for a safari holiday to Kenya, a mobile phone, an original oil painting, a dental makeover and more – coming to a value of US$25,000 each. At another party, he filled a room at The Dorchester hotel in London – which his father owns – with around 6,000 white roses.
He was fabulously rich
The prince’s individual net worth was estimated at around US$5 billion. And that’s not including his father’s enormous wealth, which is estimated at US$28 billion. As his parties go to show, Prince Azim shared his wealth, too; he once reportedly delivered a US$5.7 million necklace to Mariah Carey as a gift via private jet. As you do.
He had famous friends
The prince was known for his close relationship with Michael and Janet Jackson. Add Naomi Campbell, Joan Collins, Pamela Anderson, Mariah Carey and Elizabeth Hurley, and you have a contact list that reads like a Hollywood VIP event. He was particularly good friends with Michael Jackson – a relationship that extended to his father, who paid US$17 million to have MJ perform at his 50th birthday party back in 1996.
He received the best education
Backtracking to his school years, Prince Azim attended the International School Brunei, Singapore’s Raffles Institution and later Oxford Brookes University in the UK. He was also sent to the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, but reportedly dropped out after a week of officer training.
He was a Hollywood film producer
Under the name Azim Bolkiah, the prince produced You’re Not You featuring Hilary Swank and was the executive producer for The Happy Prince starring Emily Watson and Colin Firth.
He supported the LGTBQ+ community
Although he never openly spoke about his own sexuality, the prince apparently openly supported the LGTBQ+ community. His parties were reportedly attended by prominent transgender figure Caitlyn Jenner. This is in stark contrast to his father’s decision to enforce sharia law, a religious law that involves the death penalty for homosexuality and adultery, in Brunei.