Cambodia - King Norodom Sihanouk

In 1941, the French made Prince Sihanouk king of Cambodia, believing they had installed another loyal puppet on the throne who'd do anything they asked of him for the price of a lavish existence. Instead, King Sihanouk moved in the direction of Cambodian independence. In 1953, he declared martial law and dissolved the parliament. On November 9, he proclaimed Cambodia an independent state. But internal divisions continued to hamper the solidarity among the nation's leaders. In 1955, Sihanouk abdicated the throne in favor of politics. Politically, Sihanouk has vacillated between the right and the left throughout his career (intermittently supporting the Khmer Rouge and its foes alike). Known for bending with the wind, he is nonetheless still worshiped by the core of the Cambodian people. Ill with cancer, he resides primarily in Beijing and Pyongyang, North Korea. His relationship with the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung was deep and lasted for decades. In the name of national reconciliation, he pardoned Khmer Rouge henchman Ieng Sary in 1996. These days, Sihanouk spends most of his time being sick in Beijing, quashing reports he is considering abdicating. and shaking his head over the sorry state of his realm.