Norodom of Cambodia
King of Cambodia
Died when: 70 years 83 days (842 months)Star Sign: Aquarius
Norodom (Khmer: នរោត្តម, Nôroŭttâm [nɔˈroːɗɑm]; born Ang Voddey (Khmer: អង្គវតី, Ângk Vôtei [ʔɑŋ ʋɔˈtəj]); 3 February 1834 – 24 April 1904) was King of Cambodia from 19 October 1860 to his death on 24 April 1904.
He was the eldest son of King Ang Duong and was a half-brother of Prince Si Votha and King Sisowath.
He was elected to the throne in 1860 but would not be crowned until 1864 due to the fact that Siam held the royal regalia (the royal crown and other artefacts).
In 1863, he signed a treaty with France by which he gave France control over Cambodia's foreign relations in exchange for personal protection against his enemies.
The treaty saved Cambodian independence, but French control over Cambodia's internal affairs strengthened continually until the end of his reign (full independence was not restored until 1953).
His reign of 43 years and 188 days is the longest in Cambodian history in terms of verifiable exact date.Upon his death, he was succeeded by his half-brother, Sisowath.
He is the progenitor of the House of Norodom which has been the ruling royal house of Cambodia since 1941.
