Norodom Sihanouk (; 31 October 192215 October 2012) was the
King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 to 2004. Also affectionately known as
Samdech Euv to the
Cambodian people, Sihanouk ascended to the throne in 1941. After the
Second World War, he campaigned for the independence of
Cambodia from
French rule, which came true in 1953. In 1955, Sihanouk abdicated the throne in favour of his father
Norodom Suramarit, and went on to form the
Sangkum, a political organisation. Sihanouk led the Sangkum to win the
1955 general elections, and became the
Prime Minister of Cambodia. When Suramarit died in 1960, Sihanouk introduced a
constitutional amendment which made him the
Head of State of Cambodia, a position which he held until 1970. Between 1955 and 1970, Sihanouk pursued a policy of
neutrality for Cambodia. As he forged close ties with
Communist countries, in particular
China, this incurred the suspicions of the
United States (US) and its
anti-Communist allies. Sihanouk maintained tenacious ties with the US and their allies, as they engaged in various activities which Sihanouk perceived as attempts to undermine his rule.