Empress Nam Phương, born Nguyễn Hữu Thị Lan in 1914, was the last empress of Vietnam. She married Emperor Bảo Đại in 1934 and became the empress consort of the Nguyễn dynasty. Known for her beauty and elegance, she played a significant role in the cultural life of the royal court. After the abdication of Emperor Bảo Đại in 1945, Nam Phương lived in exile in France. She remained a symbol of the Vietnamese monarchy until her death in 2000. Her life reflects the tumultuous history of Vietnam during the 20th century, marked by colonialism and the struggle for independence.