Norodom Sihanouk

His Majesty King-Father Norodom Sihanouk (Khmer: Mul script ; regular script ) (name pronounced {{IPA|/nɔɾoːdɔm siːhanuʔ/}} in Khmer; in French), the son of King Norodom Suramarit and Queen Sisowath Kossamak, reigned as King of Cambodia until he announced his abdication on October 7 2004, and is now "King-Father of Cambodia", a position in which he retains many of his former prerogatives as king.

Early life

Norodom Sihanouk received his primary education in a Phnom Penh primary school, the École François Baudoin. He pursued his secondary education in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam and then attended military school in Saumur, France. When his maternal grandfather, King Sisowath Monivong, died on April 23, 1941, the Crown Council selected Prince Sihanouk as King of Cambodia, his coronation taking place in September of the same year. Rumors abounded during this period that the influence of France (the regional colonial power) accounted for his accession. Norodom Sihanouk is well-known for leading what some have termed an extravagant lifestyle, and being an unashamed "ladies' man". He married his sixth wife, Monique, an Italian-Cambodian, in 1952.

Related Topics:
Primary education - Phnom Penh - École François Baudoin - Secondary education - Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam - Saumur - France - Sisowath Monivong - April 23 - 1941 - King of Cambodia

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