Sisowath Kossamak

Sisowath Kossamak
Queen of Cambodia
Wax sculpture of Queen Sisowath Kossamak at the Cambodian Cultural Village, Siem Reap.
Queen consort of Cambodia
Tenure	3 March 1955 – 3 April 1960
Coronation	3 March 1955
Spouse	Norodom Suramarit (m. 1920–60; his death)
Issue	Prince Norodom Sihanouk
Full name Preah Mahaksatriyani Sisowath Monivong Kossamak Nearirath Serey Vattana
House	House of Sisowath (by birth) House of Norodom (by marriage)
Father	Sisowath Monivong
Mother	Norodom Kanviman Norleak Tevi
Born	9 April 1904 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Died	27 April 1975(1975-04-27) (aged 71) Beijing, China
Religion	Buddhism

Preah Mahaksatriyani Sisowath Monivong Kossamak Nearirath Serey Vathana (Khmer: ស៊ីសុវត្ថិមុនីវង្ស កុសុមៈនារីរ័ត្នសេរីវឌ្ឍនា; 9 April 1904 – 27 April 1975) was the Queen consort of Cambodia from 1955 to 1960 as the wife of King Norodom Suramarit. Sisowath Kossamak was born Princess of Cambodia as the daughter of King Sisowath Monivong of Cambodia. She became Queen Mother after her husband's death.

Her official title is Her Majesty Samdach Preah Mahaksatriyani Sisowath Kossamak Nearirâth Serey Vatthana.

Biography

Sisowath Kosamak married her father's cousin Norodom Suramarit. Upon the death of her father Monivong in 1941, Sihanouk, her son and Monivong's grandson, was selected as the new king. In the 1940s, she re-created the ancient apsara dance by educating her first grand daughter, Princess Norodom Bopha Devi, to become an apsara dancer.

In 1955, Sihanouk abdicated in favor of his father. Following Suramarit's death in 1960, Norodom Sihanouk again became head of state (although he did not formally regain the title of king until after other periods in 1993).

References

• http://www.web-cambodia.com/en/article/Cambodian_Apsara_Dance-36065.html

External links

• http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/Cambodia_Heads.htm