Cambodian Princess Norodom Bopha Devi, a royal who helped resurrect the traditional 'Apsara dance' from the ashes of the brutal Khmer Rouge rule in the 1970s, died on Monday at the age of 76.
Thea former culture minister and daughter of late king Norodom Sihanouk and half sister of current monarch Norodom Sihamoni, Bopha Devi died from an illness in a Bangkok hospital, according to family.
The Princess, who married for the first time aged just 15, leaves behind five children from four marriages, Princess Sisowath Moni Kossoma, 59, Princess Sisowath Kalyan Tevi, 58, Princess Keo Chinsita Forsinetti, 54, Prince Sisowath Chivannariddh, 51, and Prince Sisowath Veakchiravuddh, 46.
Part of Cambodia's Royal House of Norodom, Princess Buppha Devi toured the world performing the traditional Apsara dance, a classical dance created by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, dancing for Princess Margaret in 1969.
The royal gave Angelina Jolie permission to feature the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in the American actress' immersive Cambodian genocide drama "First They Killed My Father', where the pair were pictured together on set in 2017.
Cambodian Princess Norodom Bopha Devi, a royal who helped resurrect the traditional 'Apsara dance' from the ashes of the brutal Khmer Rouge rule in the 1970s, died on Monday at the age of 76. Pictured: Princess Bopha Devi, as a 16-year-old, the eldest daughter of Prince Sihanouk, among the dancers of the Royal Cambodian Ballet who performed for the President after the state banquet in 1965
The royal gave Angelina Jolie permission to feature the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in the American actress' immersive Cambodian genocide drama "First They Killed My Father', where the pair were pictured together on set in 2017
The Princess, seen this year, who married for the first time aged just 15, leaves behind five children from four marriages, Princess Sisowath Moni Kossoma, 59, Princess Sisowath Kalyan Tevi, 58, Princess Keo Chinsita Forsinetti, 54, Prince Sisowath Chivannariddh, 51, and Prince Sisowath Veakchiravuddh, 46
Confirming her passing this week, prime minister Hun Sen said in a condolence letter shared on the prime minister's Facebook page, that her death marked 'the greatest loss of a multi-skilled actor in the cultural sector'.
He later declared November 20 a national day of mourning and for flags to fly at half-mast and tributes praising her contribution to the arts flooded Cambodian social media.
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ShareProminent Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh tweeted 'RIP Princesse Bopha Devi' with two black and white photos of her in elaborate Apsara costumes.
It was in Cambodia's palace that Bopha Devi started dancing as a young princess, becoming the premier Apsara dancer in the 1960s and promoting the art to global acclaim.
Part of Cambodia's Royal House of Norodom, Princess Buppha Devi toured the world performing the traditional Apsara dance, a classical dance created by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, dancing for Princess Margaret in 1969
It was in Cambodia's palace that Bopha Devi started dancing as a young princess, becoming the premier Apsara dancer in the 1960s and promoting the art to global acclaim (seen in 1979)
Buppha Dev, whose name means flower and goddess, finished her high school education before being chosen by her grandmother to become a dancer aged 15 - the same year she married her first husband Sisowath Monichivan.
The same year, she became the premier dancer of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, before welcoming her first child the following year.
She began touring the world as the principal dancer of the Royal Ballet with Queen Sisowath Kossamak aged 18, performing a dance that had previously only been shared in front of royals, in public.
A classical ballet performed with slow, twisting movements and arched fingers, Apsara has been performed in Cambodia for more than 1,000 years and bas-reliefs of dancers are seen on Angkorian temple walls.
The series of gestures carry the wishes of the Khmer kings to the heavens, according to ancient custom, and was largely confined to royal circles.
Pictured: Norodom Buppha Devi preparing in wardrobe before the Royal Ballet of Cambodia performance.Paris, 11/1979
Princess Bopha Devi, Cambodia's Minister of Culture and a daughter of King Sihanouk, with her brother, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, at the Siemreap airport
A classical ballet performed with slow, twisting movements and arched fingers, Apsara has been performed in Cambodia for more than 1,000 years and bas-reliefs of dancers are seen on Angkorian temple walls. This photo taken on December 13, 2012, shows Cambodian Princess Norodom Bopha Devi (R) training students during an Apsara dance rehearsal at the Department of Performing Arts in Phnom Penh
Apsara nearly vanished in the 1970s under Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime, which wiped out much of the country's heritage along with up to two million people.
After the regime fell, the princess turned to training the next generation, and served as minister of culture and fine arts from 1998 to 2004.
Becoming a successful dancer alongside raising five children, she juggled her busy personal and professional life with joining Prime Minister Hun Sen's cabinet as the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts from 1998 to 2004.
The dance the Princess made famous is now ubiquitous in the country, featuring in advertisements, concerts and ceremonies.
Bopha Devi's cousin Prince Sisowath Thomico told AFP the nation would remember her works to rebuild the royal ballet troupe.
'Thanks to the Princess's efforts, Cambodian Royal Ballet has been listed as world heritage,' he said, referring to a United Nations list recognising 'Intangible Heritage'.
This photo taken on December 18, 2012 shows Cambodian Princess Norodom Bopha Devi (R) placing incense sticks during an Apsara dance rehearsal at the Chaktomuk conference hall in Phnom Penh
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