Noun Chea's Brief Biography

1925: Born into a wealthy family in Battambang Province.

• 1940s: Joined Thai Communist Party as a student in Bangkok.

• 1950: Returned to Cambodia to fight French colonial powers.

• 1975: Senior Khmer Rouge leader.

• 1979: Fled to jungle after its defeat.

• 1998: Surrendered in Pailin, where he lived freely until Wednesday.

Sources: Associated Press, Documentation Center of Cambodia