Tun Dato' Sharifah Rodziah binti Syed Alwi Barakbah (; 1920 – 12 March 2000) was the third wife of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the founding father and first Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Early life Born in 1920, Sharifah Rodziah was of Hadhrami-Malay descent; her Arab ancestors had migrated from Hadhramaut and settled in Kedah for several generations.Macam-macam Ada: Memo untuk Pak Lah (Bahagian Satu), by Hussien Alattas, published by JB News Media Network, 2006, , pg 254 Being of the Barakbah clan, she was 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".The nation came first for Tunku , The Star, 26 August 2007
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
Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN) – Tun (1970)
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
See also Spouse of the Prime Minister of Malaysia
References
Sources Asiaweek.com, 24 March 2000. Putera Negara; 1987, Firma Publishing, Aziz Zarina Ahmad.