The last king of Rwanda, Kigeli V, who ruled the east African nation for less than a year before being forced into exile, finally settling in the United States, died early Sunday according to his official website.
He was 80, Born Jean-Baptiste Ndahindurwa, King Kigeli came to power in 1959 and was forced to leave the country the following year after clashing with the Belgian colonial power.
In 1961, the monarchy was abolished. The king began a life of exile in east Africa, including Kenya and Uganda, before leaving for America, where he settled into obscurity in the suburbs of Washington in 1992.
A recent magazine profile had him living a humble existence on food stamps. Details of his death were not immediately known. (AFP)