Aline Claire Allard (December 25, 1912 – September 7, 1977) was a French Laotian diplomat and public figure. She was married to the prominent Laotian politician Souvanna Phouma from 1933 until their divorce in 1969, and she is thought to have been a major influence during his years as prime minister.

Early life, education, and career

Aline Claire Allard was born in Xiangkhouang, Laos, in 1912.[1][2] The country was then a French protectorate. Her father was Numa Prosper Allard, a French civil servant who served as the president of Laos' chamber of commerce and agriculture.[1][3][4] Her mother was Laotian.[2]

She traveled to study in Hanoi and subsequently in Paris.[1] There, she attended the École normale supérieure de Fontenay-aux-Roses.[2] After graduating, she began working in diplomacy, starting in Geneva at the Palace of Nations.[2] From 1957 to 1959, she worked as an advisor to the Assembly of the French Union, and she also led Laotian delegations to various United Nations bodies throughout her career.[2][5] In these fora, she was particularly involved in issues of hunger and of women's roles in the Third World.[2][6][7] She also spent a period as Laos' director of international cultural relations.[2]

From 1958 until her death, she was a member of the Overseas Academy of Sciences. In Laos, she was designated as a commander in the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol, and in France she was named a knight of the Ordre des Palmes académiques and of the Legion of Honour.[2]

Personal life

In 1933, Allard married Souvanna Phouma, a powerful Laotian politician who served several stints as prime minister between 1951 and 1975.[1][8] The couple had four children, including the political activist Mangkra Souvanna Phouma.[1] Allard was Roman Catholic, and she raised her children Catholic as well.[9][10]

After her marriage, Allard became known as Princess Souvanna Phouma.[1] As Laos' first lady, she gained a reputation for her "lively intelligence" and "flair for politics," and she was considered a major influence on her husband's political decision-making.[11][12][13] Some commentators at the time considered her to be the source of Phouma's somewhat pro-Western attitudes.[14]

Allard and Phouma divorced in 1969.[1] She died of a heart attack in 1977 on the Île de Ré, off France's Atlantic coast, where she had a summer home.[1][2][15]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Princess Souvanna Phouma Dies; Divorced Wife of Ex‐Laotian Chief". The New York Times. 1977-09-09. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "SOUVANNA-PHOUMA (NÉE ALLARD) Aline Claire, princesse". Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  3. ↑ Louankang, Siamphone (2009-05-01). "Daraphon Souvanna Phouma Stieglitz, community activist". LaoAmericans. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  4. ↑ Hanna, Willard A. (1964). Eight Nation Makers. St. Martin's Press.
  5. ↑ "Princess dies". Democrat and Chronicle. 1977-09-10.
  6. ↑ "Hunger Fight Errors Cited By Princess". The Indianapolis Star. 1963-06-07.
  7. ↑ Pearson, Drew (1963-06-18). "World Food Congress Colorful Event; Congressmen Protest Rude Committee". The Express.
  8. ↑ "Prince Souvanna of Laos dies". UPI. 1984-01-11. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  9. ↑ The New York Times Biographical Service. Vol. 5. University Microfilms. 1974.
  10. ↑ Valko, William G. (1969). The Illustrated Who's who in Reigning Royalty: A History of Contemporary Monarchical Systems. Community Press.
  11. ↑ "Sketches of Leaders of Laotian Factions". The New York Times. 1962-05-16.
  12. ↑ James, Rembert (1960-11-29). "Reds Of Varying Shades Covet Control Of Laos". The Cincinnati Enquirer.
  13. ↑ "Leaders in Laos". The New York Times. 1962-05-20.
  14. ↑ "'Neutralist' Laotian". Chattanooga Daily Times. 1961-04-30.
  15. ↑ "Princess Souvanna Phouma Dies At 65". The Indianapolis News. 1977-09-10.
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