Princess Ubolratana of Thailand & Peter Jensen
A Thai princess gave up her title to marry an American, then reclaimed her royal life after divorce.
Key Facts
What Happened
Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, eldest child of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) of Thailand, stunned the Thai royal court when she married Peter Ladd Jensen, an American she had met while both were students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Their wedding on July 25, 1972, was the first marriage of a Thai princess to a commoner, and under Thai royal law, Ubolratana was required to relinquish her royal title.
The couple settled in the United States, where Ubolratana lived for over 26 years as 'Mrs. Julie Jensen.' They had three children together and lived a relatively private life in San Diego. However, the marriage deteriorated over time. In later interviews, Ubolratana accused Jensen of waging a 'psychological war' against her, though specific details were never publicly disclosed.
The couple divorced in 1998, and Ubolratana made the extraordinary decision to return to Thailand and resume her royal duties. While she never formally regained her full princess title (remaining technically a commoner under Thai law), she was treated as a member of the royal family in practice and addressed as 'Princess.' She became active in humanitarian work and even briefly ran for Prime Minister in 2019.
Tragedy struck the family when their youngest son, Bhumi Jensen, who had autism, was killed in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami while vacationing in southern Thailand. The devastating loss added another layer of sorrow to a life already marked by difficult personal transitions. Ubolratana's story illustrates the impossible choices some face between love and duty, and the long road back to identity after a marriage dissolves.
Legal Breakdown: Relinquishing and reclaiming royal status
Title Sacrifice for Marriage
Ubolratana's case is one of the clearest examples of a royal being forced to choose between love and status. Under Thai royal law, marriage to a commoner required relinquishing all royal titles and privileges. Modern equivalents exist in corporate settings where non-compete clauses or conflict-of-interest policies can force executives to give up positions when marrying certain individuals.
International Jurisdiction in Divorce
The divorce involved a Thai princess and an American citizen, with the family living in the United States. The jurisdictional questions -- which country's laws apply, where to file, how to divide assets across borders -- are common in international divorces and require specialized legal expertise.
Post-Divorce Identity Reconstruction
Ubolratana's transition from 'Mrs. Julie Jensen' back to her role as a Thai princess represents an extreme version of post-divorce identity reconstruction. Many people struggle with who they are after a long marriage ends. Having a plan for rebuilding your identity and social network is a critical but often overlooked aspect of divorce recovery.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Understand what you are giving up before marriage -- titles, career positions, or family relationships may be harder to reclaim than you think.
- →International divorces require specialized legal counsel who understands multiple jurisdictions.
- →Rebuilding your identity after a long marriage is a process that takes time -- be patient with yourself.
- →Psychological abuse (what Ubolratana described as 'psychological war') is a valid ground for divorce in most jurisdictions.
Going Through a Divorce?
Get confidential guidance tailored to your situation — free, private, and available 24/7.
Related Cases
King Maha Vajiralongkorn & Sujarinee Vivacharawongse / Yuvadhida Polpraserth / Srirasmi Suwadee
Thailand · 1993–2014
He divorced three wives, stripped royal titles, and jailed his third wife's relatives — because he could
OtherSir Paul McCartney & Heather Mills
United Kingdom · 2008
She asked for £125 million — the judge awarded a fifth of that
OtherNicolas Sarkozy & Cécilia Ciganer-Albéniz
France · 2007
He became president in May — she filed for divorce in October
OtherWas this helpful? Help us keep it free.
divorce911.ai is funded entirely by donations. Every dollar keeps the AI assistant and 1,700+ guides free for people in crisis.
Know someone going through a divorce? This could help them.
This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.