Cambodian king and united-front leader
In June 1982 he joined the Khmer Rouge and Son Sann's KPNLF in an anti-Vietnamese coalition government and became its president, retaining Cambodia's UN seat.
King, head of state and prime minister of Cambodia. He came to the throne in 1941 under French colonial rule, led the country to independence in 1953, abdicated in 1955 to enter politics and was removed in 1970. Held under house arrest under the Khmer Rouge in 1975–1979, he led a resistance coalition allied with the Khmer Rouge in 1982–1991, was restored as king in 1993 and abdicated again in 2004.
Career Timeline
- 1941–1955King of Cambodia
- 1955–1960Led the Sangkum and served as prime minister and head of state
- 1960–1970Head of state
- 1981Founded the resistance party FUNCINPEC
- 1982–1987President of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK)
- 1991–1993Chairman of the Supreme National Council
- 1993–2004King of Cambodia