Norodom Monineath Sihanouk (Khmer: នរោត្ដម មុនិនាថ សីហនុ, pronounced [nɔroːtɗɑm mɔniːniət səjhanuʔ]; born Paule Monique Izzi; 18 June 1936) is the Queen Mother of Cambodia.

Princess Monique, as she was called during this period, was exposed to some criticism from the Khmer Republic for her life during the reign of Sihanouk in the 1960s.

[6] The Khmer Republic propaganda claimed that she had advised Sihanouk to introduce the unpopular state casino, which was at the time viewed as a symbol of national decadence,[6] and alleged that she, her mother Madame Pomme, and her brother Oum Manorine contributed to corruption by promoting proteges to lucrative offices.

As guests of the North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, a palace with 60 rooms was given to them as their residence during their stay.

They were reportedly subjected to a political re-education program during these years, and at least 18 members of the extended royal house were killed.

The original plan was to evacuate only Sihanouk and Monineath, but Pol Pot himself insisted that all members of the royal house should be given a place on the Chinese plane.

On 2 January 1996, the King elevated her to the rank of Samdech Preah Reach Akka Mohèsey Norodom Monineath.

Sihanouk reportedly suggested to change the constitution to make it possible for her to be a regent and succeed him on the throne, but ultimately, this did not come about, and he chose to abdicate in favor of their son instead.

In 2010 she was nominated for Time Person of the Year by Documentation Center of Cambodia Director Youk Chhang who praised the Queen Mother as an "embodiment of resilience, dignity and courage.