Tunku Kurshiah binti Almarhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin was born in 1911 in Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan. The eldest daughter of Tunku Besar Burhanuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Antah (sometime Regent of Negeri Sembilan), she married, as his third wife, Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad.

Upon her husband's accession to the throne of Negeri Sembilan in 1933, Tunku Kurshiah was proclaimed Tunku Ampuan or Queen of Negeri Sembilan. In 1957, her husband was elected first Yang di-Pertuan Agong of independent Malaya and she became Raja Permaisuri Agong or Queen.

Tuanku Abdul Rahman died in April 1960 and Tunku Kurshiah was given the dowager title of Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. She continued her charitable works, notably in the Wanita Islam (Muslim Women Association) group.

She had two daughters:

1. Tunku Bahiyah, who became Sultanah of Kedah and the fifth Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia, and
2. Tunku Shahariah, who became Tunku Puan Bendahara of Johor

Tunku Kurshiah died in 1998 and is buried at the Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum.