Background
Born on 16 May 1911 in Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan, she was the eldest daughter of Tunku Besar Burhanuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Antah (sometime Regent of Negeri Sembilan).
Born on 16 May 1911 in Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan, she was the eldest daughter of Tunku Besar Burhanuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Antah (sometime Regent of Negeri Sembilan).
She also attended private English classes.
She also served as the first Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaya between 1957 to 1960. She received her early education at the Seri Menanti Malay School. Upon her husband"s accession to the throne of Negeri Sembilan in 1933, Tunku Kurshiah was proclaimed Tunku Ampuan Besar or Queen of Negeri Sembilan.
Tuanku Abdul Rahman died in April 1960 and Tunku Kurshiah was given the dowager title of Tunku Ampuan of Negeri Sembilan.
In 1954, Tuanku Kurshiah was appointed as the President of the Negeri Sembilan Girl Guides. She was also the patron of the Women's Institute of Negeri Sembilan.
Tunku Kurshiah was blessed with two daughters. Tuanku Bahiyah, who became Sultanah of Kedah and Tunku Shahariah, who became Tunku Puan Bendahara of Johor.
Tunku Kurshiah died at Kuala Lumpur on 2 February 1999 and her remains are buried at the Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum in Seri Menanti.
Tunku Kurshiah due to her royal lineage has links to many former queens of Negeri Sembilan but also has links with many of the royal families of the other states. Her daughter Tuanku Bahiyah became Sultanah of Kedah and later the fifth Raja Permaisuri Agong. Tuanku Najihah also followed in Tunku Kurshiah"s footsteps and served as the 10th Raja Permaisuri Agong.
In memory of her contribution to the country, the Malaysian government decided to change the name of Maktab Perempuan Melayu – a prominent boarding school – to Tunku Kurshiah College.
The University of Malaya also renamed its Third Residential College to Tunku Kurshiah Residential College.