Who Is Nguyễn Cao Kỳ? Age, Biography and Wiki
Nguyễn Cao Kỳ was born on September 8, 1930. In 2025, he will be celebrating his 95th birthday. Renowned for his significant political influence during the Vietnam War, Kỳ served as the Vice President of South Vietnam from 1967 until 1971. His leadership was pivotal during a turbulent era in Vietnamese history, and he is remembered for his role in various diplomatic efforts and military strategies. For more details on his life, refer to his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Prime Ministers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 8, 1930 |
| Age | 80 Years |
| Birth Place | Sơn Tây, Tonkin protectorate |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Date of death | 23 July, 2011 |
| Died Place | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
Popularity
Nguyễn Cao Kỳ's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While exact measurements of Nguyễn Cao Kỳ’s height and weight during his political career are not widely documented, he was known to have a commanding presence. Typically leaders in his position average around 5 feet 7 inches tall and carried a weight that reflected a disciplined military background.
In the presidential election that was held in 1967, the military junta, which Kỳ chaired, intended to endorse only one candidate for the presidency.
Kỳ intended to run, but at the last minute changed his mind and backed Thiệu, a move he later called "the biggest mistake of my life." Thiệu nominated Kỳ as his running mate and the two were elected with 35 percent of the vote in a rigged poll.
US policymakers heard rumors that the generals had agreed to subvert the constitution, and The New York Times revealed the formation of a secret military committee that would control the government after the election.
What had happened was that in the negotiations within the military, Kỳ had agreed to stand aside in exchange for behind-the-scenes power through a military committee that would shape policy and control the civilian arm of the government.
Kỳ flatly denied these reports to Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker, and the US Embassy notified Washington that The New York Times story was baseless. However, the story was later vindicated, as intelligence sources obtained the charter that told of the functions of the secret Supreme Military Committee (SMC).
Walt Rostow briefed President Johnson and concluded that the SMC was "in effect, a scheme for 'guided democracy' in which a half dozen generals would decide finally what was good and bad for the country."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Nguyễn Cao Kỳ’s personal life has been the subject of public interest. He was married to Nguyễn Thị Nhung, and together they have several children. Their family remains influential in Vietnam, maintaining a connection to Kỳ's political legacy. Through the years, Kỳ’s relationships have often been intertwined with his political career, which has led to a multitude of public and private challenges.
By this time, Taylor's relationship with Khánh had already broken down over the issue of the HNC, and the US became more intent on a regime change as Khánh was reliant on Buddhist support, which they saw as an obstacle to an expansion of the war.
Knowing that he was close to being forced out, Khánh tried to start negotiations with the communists, but this only increased the plotting.
In early February, Taylor told Kỳ, who then passed on the message to colleagues in the junta, that the United States was "in no way propping up General Khanh or backing him in any fashion." Taylor thought his message had been effective.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Nguyễn Cao Kỳ's net worth is estimated to be in the millions, owing to his extensive political career, real estate investments, and published memoirs. While exact figures on his salary as Vice President are not readily available, it is known that government officials at the time earned a substantial income reflective of their positions.
Historian Stanley Karnow said of Kỳ and Thi: "Both flamboyant characters who wore gaudy uniforms and sported sinister moustaches, the two young officers had been friends, and their rivalry seemed to typify the personal struggles for power that chronically afflicted South Vietnam.
But their dispute mirrored more than individual ambition." Both were known for the colorful red berets they wore. There were reports that Thi was showing insubordination towards Kỳ. The US military commander in Vietnam, General William Westmoreland, said that Thi once refused to report to Kỳ in Saigon when requested.
On one occasion, Kỳ came to I Corps to remonstrate with him in early March, Thi addressed his staff and asked mockingly, "Should we pay attention to this funny little man from Saigon or should we ignore him?" Thi made this comment rather loudly, within earshot of Kỳ, and the Vietnamese politician Bùi Diễm thought that the prime minister view
ed Thi's comment as a direct challenge to his authority.
Career, Business and Investments
After his tenure in politics, Nguyễn Cao Kỳ became an influential figure in other ventures, including writing and public speaking. He also explored various business opportunities, particularly in the United States and abroad, post his political career. His experiences have contributed to his insights on leadership and governance, making him a sought-after speaker at various conferences.
After completing his secondary schooling in Chu Văn An High School, Hanoi, he enlisted in the French-backed Vietnamese National Army of the State of Vietnam in 1951 and was commissioned in the infantry after attending an officers training school.
After a brief period in the field against the communist Việt Minh of Hồ Chí Minh during the First Indochina War, the French military hierarchy sent Kỳ, then a lieutenant, to Marrakech in Morocco to train as a pilot. Kỳ gained his wings on 15 September 1954.
The French defeat at the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ and the Geneva Conference ended the colonial presence in Indochina, and Kỳ came back to the new Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The commander of a transport squadron, Kỳ was put in charge of Tân Sơn Nhứt Air Base, the main aerial facility in the capital, Saigon.
Kỳ then went to the United States to study for six months at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Field, Alabama, where he learned to speak English. He returned to Vietnam and continued to rise up the ranks.
Social Network
Nguyễn Cao Kỳ maintains a presence on various social media platforms where he shares insights on historical events and reflections on his time in office. His connections with historians, political analysts, and contemporaries provide a wealth of discussions around his experiences and the lessons learned throughout his life.
Time magazine reported that Thi "ran it [I Corps] like a warlord of yore, obeying those edicts of the central government that suited him and blithely disregarding the rest." Historian George McTurnan Kahin said that Kỳ may have feared that Thi would secede from Saigon and turn central Vietnam into an independent state.
CIA analyst Douglas Pike, speculated that this would have been a large part of Ky's thinking. A combination of those factors resulted in Thi's dismissal. Kỳ mustered the support of eight of the generals on the 10-man junta, meaning that along with his vote, there were nine officers in favor of Thi's removal.
With Thi the only nonsupporter, Kỳ and his colleagues removed Thi from the junta and his corps command on 10 March 1966. Kỳ threatened to resign if the decision was not unanimous, claiming that the junta needed a show of strength, so Thi decided to vote for his own sacking.
The junta put Thi under house arrest pending his departure from the country, and then appointed General Nguyễn Văn Chuẩn, the erstwhile commander of 1st Division and a Thi subordinate, as the new I Corps commander.
Education
Nguyễn Cao Kỳ was educated in French colonial schools and later attended military training in France, which laid the foundation for his military and political career. His education greatly influenced his strategies and policies during his time in office.
Kỳ began his association with the American covert operations community in 1961. While still ranked as a major commanding Tân Sơn Nhứt Air Base, he became the first pilot for South Vietnam's presidential liaison officer, which was organizing to infiltrate military intelligence teams into North Vietnam.
He recruited pilots from his command for this intelligence program of the Central Intelligence Agency, and flew some of the missions himself after being trained by an expert pilot from Air America. At one point, Kỳ took the CIA's Saigon station chief, William Colby, for a demonstration low-level flight.
Kỳ's flight training graduation gift for himself and his pilots was a flight to Singapore, where he purchased black flight suits, silk scarfs, and cigarette lighters for all hands. Colby was amused by his flight but unhappy with the selection of flashy attire.
