Topic summary

Norodom Monineath

Norodom Monineath

Norodom Monineath Sihanouk (Khmer: នរោត្ដម មុនិនាថ សីហនុ, pronounced; born Paule Monique Izzi; 18 June 1936) is the Queen Mother of Cambodia. She was from 1993 to 2004, as the wife of King Sihanouk. She is the widow of King Norodom Sihanouk, whom she married in 1955 as the "secondary consort" (Sihanouk married his official wife, Norodom Thavet Norleak, as the "first lady" also in 1955, before being married to Monineath). After Sihanouk and Norleak divorced in 1968, Monineath became the official spouse of the King.

Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk and King Norodom Sihanouk had two children: Norodom Sihamoni and Norodom Narindrapong; both were born before their parents married. Her official, full title is "Samdech Preah Mahaksatrey Norodom Monineath Sihanouk" (Khmer: សម្តេចព្រះមហាក្សត្រី នរោត្តម មុនិនាថ សីហនុ). The Queen is also called "Preah Voreakreach Meada Jeat Khmer" (Khmer: ព្រះវររាជមាតាជាតិខ្មែរ, lit.'mother of the Khmer nation'). Her birthday on 18 June is an official public holiday in Cambodia.