The Final Weeks of King Hussein of Jordan
Memories of Queen Noor Taken From Her Book Leap of Faith
Nov 1, 2009
Born in Amman, Jordan in 1935, Hussein was prematurely thrust into the dangerous world of Middle Eastern politics at the age of 18 following the murder of his beloved grandfather after prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Much of the Hussein’s life is a matter of public record and well documented; in many respects it was a balancing act as he fought to keep his young country safe from competing powers both in the Middle East and beyond.
However this short narrative is not about his long life, doing business on the world stage, it is a brief glimpse, through the eyes of his American born wife Queen Noor, of the final weeks before his death.
It could in some ways be the story of any wife caring for her husband in the final weeks of his life but Hussein was no ordinary husband he was after all the King of Jordan, a distant descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
Hussein's Medical Treatment in the U.S.
This is Queen Noor’s story, just a few of her memories, taken from her book, Leap of Faith and begins, as far as this article is concerned in October 1998, at a private suite in the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota where King Hussein was being treated for cancer.
Despite the severity of his illness, Hussein never stopped working; he took calls from President Clinton and received Madeleine Albright; both worried about the stalled talks between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Feeling well enough to leave the clinic, King Hussein joined the talks at the Wye River Plantation in Maryland. Queen Noor wrote in her journal, “Clinton looked totally exhausted and fed up… the Palestinians are shocked, some to tears by their first sight of Hussein since his illness began.”
Wye River Memorandum
The Wye River Memorandum, which addressed a range of issues on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, was subsequently agree and signed by all parties.
King Hussein returned to the Mayo Clinic for yet another bone marrow tap, which Noor describes as, “particularly agonizing to watch.” Many of his children joined him there to ‘celebrate’ his sixty-third birthday. His final Christmas was also spent on US soil.
With treatment completed the family prepared to return to Jordan. Queen Noor notes that he, “Taped a television address (for the Jordanian people) to announce his imminent arrival.”
On the eve of departure home Hussein was feverish and it was decided to break the journey in London for further tests and treatment.
“We left England for Jordan at 7:55 a.m. on January 19,1999” said Noor. Leap of Faith allows a brief glimpse into the flight. The Gulfstream 4, which carried Jordan’s royal family, was joined by a Royal Air Force fighter escort to ensure their safety in British airspace.
As the RAF turned back the French took up the escort duty, followed by the Italians, the Israelis and finally the Royal Jordanian Air Force saw him home. Incredibly, despite his medical condition Hussein was at the controls for the entire journey.
He was welcomed home to Jordan by large and enthusiastic crowds and despite the wet and cold conditions, Hussein insisted on opening the car’s sunroof to wave to his subjects.
His time was immediately taken up with constitutional matters; most pressing was the naming of his successor. With his condition worsening Noor talks of the decision to return to the United States for further treatment. She describes, in moving terms, the trauma of her husband’s chemotherapy and blood transfusions although it was soon clear that he was losing his fight for life.
Queen Noor, realising the hopelessness of the situation wanted to take him home. She said, “If we are losing this battle, it is not going to be lost in Rochester Minnesota…he belongs at home with his Jordanian family.”
King Hussein's Death in Amman
King Hussein died in Amman on a cold and wet February day. “He was facing Mecca when he died, at the same age as the Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him.”
Sources:
Office of King Hussein I, Biography, website accessed 1 November 2009
Queen Noor, Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life, Orion Books, pages 431-441, 2003
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