Bao Dai

Date of Birth: October 22, 1913

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: July 30, 1997

Biography

Bao Dai, born Nguyen Phuc Vinh Thuy on October 22, 1913, was the 13th and last emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last ruling dynasty of Vietnam. His reign began in 1926 when he was just 12 years old, following the death of his father, Emperor Khai Dinh. Bao Dai was educated in France at the Lycée Condorcet and later at the École des Sciences Politiques in Paris. His western education influenced his approach to governance, making him more progressive and open to modernization than his predecessors. During his reign, Bao Dai faced immense political challenges. The Japanese occupation of Vietnam during World War II and the subsequent rise of communist forces led by Ho Chi Minh significantly weakened his rule. In 1945, Bao Dai abdicated the throne in favor of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. However, he briefly returned to power between 1949 and 1955 as the Chief of State of the State of Vietnam, a puppet government backed by France and later the United States. After the fall of the State of Vietnam, Bao Dai went into exile in France, where he lived until his death on July 30, 1997. Despite his turbulent reign, Bao Dai remains a significant figure in Vietnamese history, known for his efforts to modernize the country and navigate the complexities of colonial rule, war, and political upheaval.

5 Interesting Facts about Bao Dai

1. Bao Dai was the last emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, ending over 140 years of Nguyen rule in Vietnam.

2. He was educated in France and was fluent in French, which influenced his modernizing policies.

3. Bao Dai abdicated the throne in 1945 but later returned as Head of State of the State of Vietnam from 1949 to 1955.

4. He was known for his lavish lifestyle, which included hunting trips, expensive cars, and multiple residences in Europe and Vietnam.

5. Bao Dai spent his final years living in France and was buried in the Cimetière de Passy in Paris.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bao Dai

1. “I would rather be a citizen of an independent country than Emperor of an enslaved one.”

2. “In this solemn hour, I bow to the will of the nation.”

3. “The Vietnamese people will gain independence, no matter what the cost.”

4. “I have always believed in the future of Vietnam and its ability to rise from the ashes of conflict.”

5. “In the end, history will judge us all, not by our titles, but by our actions.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Bao Dai is estimated to be around $5 million, primarily due to his inherited wealth and assets in Vietnam and France.

Children

Bao Dai had five children with his first wife, Empress Nam Phương: 1. Crown Prince Bao Long (1936–2007) 2. Princess Phuong Mai (1937–2021) 3. Princess Phuong Lien (born 1938) 4. Princess Phuong Dung (born 1942) 5. Prince Bao Thang (born 1943) He also had several other children from different relationships.