On June 4, 1990, Queen Jetsun Pema was born at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Bhutan's capital, Thimphu. She is the daughter of Dhondup Gyaltshen, who was a pilot for Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines, the national flag carrier of Bhutan; and Aum Sonam Choki, a descendant of the Bumthang Pangtey, an old Bhutanese noble family.
When Queen Jetsun's relationship with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was made public, she was framed as a commoner marrying a royal in the press since she was not born into royalty. Though that is the case, she actually has many connections to the royal family, as well as some connections in the government through her father. Her paternal grandparents, Thinley Topgay and Ugyen Tshering, were governors of Trashigang (also known as Trashigang Dzongpens). Her maternal grandfather is the half-brother of two former queen consorts: Ashi Phuntsho Choden and her sister, Ashi Pema Dechen. They were both married to the second King of Bhutan, King Jigme Wangchuck. While discussing these familial ties, it's important to note that, for the most part, Bhutan has practiced polygamy, making these familial ties even closer. Moreover, Queen Jetsun and King Jigme are actually distant cousins.
Queen Jetsun has two brothers and two sisters. Her eldest sister, Princess Yeatso Lhamo, also married into the royal family. In 2013, Yeatso Lhamo married King Jigme's half-brother, Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
