Ms. Dinh Phan Nguyen

Early Life in Hue

Born on August 11, 1930, in the imperial city of Hue, Vietnam, she was the third of four children, growing up alongside two older brothers and a younger sister. Her formative years were spent at the prestigious Jeanne d'Arc High School, a Catholic institution in Hue known for its rigorous French-Vietnamese curriculum. This education provided the foundational discipline and intellectual curiosity that would serve her throughout a life of transition and triumph.

Marriage and Entrepreneurship

On December 18, 1951, she entered a lifelong partnership with Lien Dinh Nguyen. Together, they began building a family that would eventually span generations and continents. By 1960, she had stepped into the role of an entrepreneur, showcasing a sharp business acumen that complemented her primary focus on her children. For fifteen years, she balanced the demands of business with the joys and challenges of raising six children: Bich, MyNgoc, Buu, Myhanh, Phuc, and Mykhanh.

The Turning Point: 1975

The course of her life changed forever on April 30, 1975. Amidst the fall of Saigon and the uncertainty of a new regime, she and her family sought refuge in the United States. Arriving as refugees, the family faced the daunting task of starting over in a foreign land with little more than their values and their commitment to one another.

Rebuilding in America

Settling in Southern California, she wasted no time in integrating into her new community. By 1978, she was pursuing further education at Fullerton College and working as a teacher assistant in Placentia. This period of her life was defined by hard work and a relentless focus on her children's education—a sacrifice that bore remarkable fruit as she raised a family of two engineers and four doctors.

A Growing Legacy

Her life has been punctuated by milestones of family expansion and deep personal loss.

• February 25, 1981: The birth of her first grandson marked the beginning of a new generation in America.

February 7, 2013: After over 60 years of marriage, she became a widower following the passing of her beloved husband, Lien.

November 28, 2014: She welcomed her first great granddaughter, continuing the family's growth.

Present Day

Today, her legacy is a living testament to the "American Dream" viewed through the lens of a Vietnamese refugee. With 19 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, she stands as the pillar of a vast, highly accomplished family. From the classrooms of Hue to the lecture halls of Fullerton, her journey is a story of survival, the power of education, and an unwavering devotion to family.