SOUPHANOUVONG

born July 13, 1909, Luang Prabang, Laos

died Jan. 9, 1995, Laos

Leader of the revolutionary Pathet Lao movement and president of Laos (1975–86).

Half brother of Souvanna Phouma , Souphanouvong was trained in civil engineering and built bridges and roads in Vietnam (1938–45). He fought the return of French colonial rule to Laos after World War II and broke with the Free Laos government-in-exile to ally himself with the Viet Minh , founding the communist-oriented Pathet Lao, which came to power in 1974–75.