On this day 26 years ago, on February 7, 1999 (December 22, 1998 in the lunar calendar), King Hussein of Jordan passed away. King Hussein and Queen On February 7, 1999, King Hussein Ibn Talal of Jordan passed away due to illness. Hussein, born in 1935. Successed to the throne in August 1952. Officially ascended the throne in May 1953, he is the longest reigning monarch in the Middle East.