Norodom Sihanouk was a prominent Cambodian leader who served as king, prime minister, and head of state during various periods from the 1940s to the 2000s. He played a crucial role in Cambodia's independence from French colonial rule in 1953 and was known for his efforts to maintain neutrality during the Vietnam War. Sihanouk's reign was marked by political instability, leading to his eventual overthrow in 1970. He later returned to power in the 1990s after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, a regime responsible for the deaths of millions. Sihanouk passed away in 2012, leaving a complex legacy in Cambodian history.