The last king of Rwanda, Kigeli V, died early Sunday, his official website said. He was 80, Daily Nation reports.
Born Jean-Baptiste Ndahindurwa in Kamembe, the monarch went into exile in 1960 after clashing with the Belgian colonial power.
In 1961, the monarchy was abolished.
Kigeli V lived in exile in several African countries before settling in the suburbs of Washington, DC, in 1992.
While in the United States, he led the King Kigeli V Foundation to aid Rwandan refugees.