Emperor Bao Dai was the last reigning emperor of Vietnam, serving from 1926 until 1945. Born on October 22, 1913, he was a member of the Nguyen dynasty and ascended to the throne at a young age. His reign was marked by the increasing influence of French colonial rule and the rise of nationalist movements in Vietnam. In 1945, following Japan's defeat in World War II, Bao Dai abdicated the throne in favor of the Viet Minh, a communist-led movement. He later served as a nominal leader under the French-backed government but was ultimately exiled after the Vietnam War. He passed away on July 30, 1997, in France.