Sihanouk is known as a hero of the Kingdom of Cambodia for his achievements which include the peaceful claiming of the country's independence from the French colonization in 1953, for steering the country's road to prosperity during the Sangkum Reastr Niyum, for winning a case in the International Court of Justice in 1962 which recognized Cambodia's ownership of Preah Vihear Temple near the Thai border, and particularly his role in the Paris Peace Agreement in 1991 which marked the end of civil wars that brought peace to the country. 
Sihanouk anajulikana kama shujaa wa dola ya Kambodia kutokana na mafanikio yake ambayo ni pamoja na kuipatia uhuru nchi yake kwa njia ya amani kutoka kwa ukoloni wa Kifaransa mnamo mwaka 1953, kuiongoza nchi katika njia ya mafanikio wakati wa Sangkum Reastr Niyum kwa kushinda kesi katika Mahakama ya Kimataifa mnamo mwaka 1962 iliyoifanya Kambodia kupata umiliki halali wa hekalu la Preah Vihear karibu na mpaka wa Thai, na haswa haswa jukumu lake kubwa katika Mkataba wa Amani wa Paris mwaka 1991 uliohitimisha vita vya kiraia na hatimaye kuleta amani nchini Kambodia.