Norodom Sihanouk

Norodom Sihanouk was a prominent Cambodian politician and royal figure, serving as King, Prime Minister, and head of state during his lifetime. Born in 1922, he played a significant role in Cambodia's struggle for independence from French colonial rule in the 1950s. Sihanouk was a controversial leader, balancing relationships with various political factions and foreign powers during the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War. His reign ended with the Khmer Rouge takeover in 1975, leading to his exile. He returned to Cambodia in the 1990s and continued to influence the country until his death in 2012.