Cambodia’s former king, Norodom Sihanouk, died in Beijing on Oct. 15 after suffering from a heart attack, The Independent reports.

The 89-year-old was the King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until 2004. He was given the title of King Father after his second abdication in 2004. The former king has been credited with helping the country secure its independence from France in 1953.

Born on Oct. 31 1922, Sihanouk was a widely loved monarch whose death was described as a “great loss to Cambodia” by his assistant and nephew, Prince Sisowath Thomico. U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told AP that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent his condolences, acknowledging Sihanouk’s “long dedication to his country and his legacy as a unifying national leader who is revered by Cambodians and respected internationally.”

The former king’s body will be displayed in Phnom Penh for up to three months before a large state funeral is set to be held.

By Park So-eun (spark@heraldcorp.com)