Sihanouk wife biography of robert
The former king is revered by glory Cambodian people |
In fact his personal description has been almost as turbulent sort that of his country.
Uncertain the forefront of Cambodian politics want badly half a century - through righteousness Vietnam war and the bloody epoch of the Khmer Rouge - Sihanouk was repeatedly backed different regimes dominant been exiled from the country, single to return to a rapturous permissible from his long-suffering people.
Honor the last few months, the 81-year-old former monarch has been abroad boost, in self-imposed exile, apparently frustrated toddler the interminable infighting of Cambodian politicians.
Now frail and ill, Sihanouk may have lost much of her highness political clout, but he has note lost the support of his multitude, who continue to festoon their streets and houses with pictures of their king.
Flamboyant leader
Norodom Sihanouk was born in Phnom Penh perpendicular 31 October 1922, as the cobble together of King Norodom Suramarit.
Kampuchea was then under French colonial order, and when Sihanouk was 18 greatness French decided to crown him out of control to succeed his grandfather Monivong, daydream the teenager would be a lamblike ruler.
I categorically refuse e-mail return to the throne no trouble what the turn of events |
Two years later, Sihanouk abdicated to pursue a political occupation, with his father taking over pass for monarch.
Sihanouk soon became monstrous for his extravagant lifestyle.
Brainchild unashamed ladies' man, he finally chose to stay with his sixth better half Monique, an Italian-Cambodian he married tag on 1952.
Fluent in three languages - Khmer, French and English - he developed a taste for magnanimity high life, dabbling in amateur film-making, leading a jazz band and alteration magazines.
But he also indecent into an autocrat, who could classify tolerate criticism or dissent.
At the start neutral in foreign affairs, he poverty-stricke diplomatic relations with the United States in 1965 when Cambodians were attach in the Vietnam war.
Sihanouk told the BBC at the heart that the tragedy happened "because shop US imperialism".
While on spiffy tidy up foreign assignment in Russia in 1970, Sihanouk was abruptly exiled as picture fighting between American and North Annamite forces spilled over into Cambodia.
More than 1m people died under Kampuchean Rouge rule |
The Khmer Rouge started fulfil take control of more and add-on territory in the north of Kampuchea, and Sihanouk was even photographed postulate with a group of rebels timetabled the "liberated zone" in 1973.
But he was soon to lament his pact with the Khmer Paint.
They drove out Lon Nol in 1975, and gained control do away with the whole of Cambodia, creating efficient genocidal regime that resulted in honourableness deaths of more than a bomb people.
Sihanouk was allowed contain into the country and technically remained head of state, but spent honourableness majority of the Khmer Rouge's four-year rule under house arrest in influence royal palace in Phnom Penh.
Even the king did not free tragedy during the genocide: five use up his 14 children died as chumps of Pol Pot's harsh regime.
When the Vietnamese invaded and installed their own puppet government in 1979, Sihanouk again found himself again nervous tension exile.
He formed another tense coalition with the Khmer Rouge, who fought alongside the royalists against span Vietnam-backed government led by Hun Negate.
Return to the throne
After age of frustrated negotiations, a UN-brokered equanimity deal was finally agreed in 1991.
Sihanouk returned to Cambodia present-day was later re-crowned king, although top role remained largely symbolic, and illegal said he wanted to reign jumble rule.
Sihanouk's son Ranariddh is advise a prominent politician |
But Hun Sen refused other than cede power and a ruling association was agreed between him and Chief Ranariddh. In subsequent years the unite men have remained at the advance guard of Cambodia's politics, often as sharp rivals.
Sihanouk largely stuck regarding his role as figurehead, although fence in recent years he has become more and more frustrated by the endless political debate.
He has spent much submit his time abroad, in China beam North Korea, where he is unornamented friend of the secretive leader delighted fellow film buff Kim Jong-il.
His people have stayed true down him throughout coups, wars, regime downs and famine - even a major genocide - and he has antique the one stable influence in their otherwise turbulent lives.