Norodom Sihanouk

Norodom Sihanouk (/ˈsiːhənʊk/; Khmer: នរោត្តម សីហនុ, Nôroŭttâm Seihânŭ [nɔroːɗɑm səjhanuʔ]; 31 October 1922 – 15 October 2012) was a Cambodian statesman, Sangkum and FUNCINPEC politician, film director, and composer who led Cambodia in various capacities throughout his long career, most often as both King and Prime Minister of Cambodia. In Cambodia, he is known as Samdech Euv (Khmer: សម្តេចឪ, Sâmdéch Âu [sɑmˈɗac ʔɨw]; meaning "King Father"). During his lifetime, Cambodia was under various regimes, from French colonial rule (until 1953), an independent kingdom (1953–1970), a republic (1970–1975), the Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979), another communist regime (1979–1989), a state (1989–1993) to finally another kingdom (since 1993).
Sihanouk was the only child of Prince Norodom Suramarit and Princess Sisowath Kossamak, daughter of King Sisowath Monivong. When his grandfather Monivong died i…