Prince Souphanouvong was son of Prince Bounkhong. His nickname was the “Red Prince” and he joined the Viet Minh and became the leader of Pathet Lao and the figurehead leader of Lao People’s Revolutionaries Party. After the victory of Pathet Lao in 1975 against the Royal Lao Army (led by his cousin Sisavang Vatthana and his brother Souvanna Phouma, who was supported by the U.S), he became the first President of newly formed Lao People’s Democratic Republic from 1975 to 1986 and President of Supreme People’s Assembly from 1975 to 1988. He died in 9 January 1995.