Sisavang Phoulivong was the last king of the Kingdom of Laos, reigning from 1904 until 1975. He was born on July 14, 1904, and was a member of the Chakri dynasty. His reign was marked by efforts to modernize the country and maintain its independence during the colonial period. In 1953, Laos gained independence from France, but political instability followed. Sisavang Phoulivong struggled to navigate the complexities of the Cold War, which involved various factions, including the Pathet Lao and royalist forces. Ultimately, he was deposed in 1975 when the monarchy was abolished, leading to the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.