Decades after the famous Napalm Girl photo captured during the Vietnam War, Kim Phuc, now 59, remains outspoken about the costs of war and the violence it brings to civilians.
The image, taken on June 8, 1972, helped shape public perception of the conflict and contributed to a strong antiwar mood in the United States. It is often cited as a pivotal moment that influenced audience sentiment and drew attention to the human cost of fighting.
On the 50th anniversary of the photograph, Phuc traveled to New York to join veteran war reporting with AP photographer Nick Ut, the photographer behind the iconic shot. He later accompanied her to a hospital to treat the burns she suffered, underscoring the human toll behind photographs that become enduring symbols of conflict.
In an interview with Efe, Phuc describes her difficult youth with a calm cadence, yet her voice softens when she reflects on present-day conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. She asserts that there is no just war and condemns the loss of life and the pain that comes with every armed clash. Her message centers on peace and the real stakes in every war.
Phuc’s life became the subject of a film that chronicles the injuries from the napalm attack and the long medical journey afterward. After leaving college amid political upheaval, she was guided toward a medical career, a path she ultimately left due to broader political forces. The story, once used for propaganda, has evolved into a testimony of resilience and a call for humanitarian work in times of conflict.
Today, Phuc frequently speaks through interviews and public appearances that revisit the consequences of war. Her journey has taken her from Vietnam to Cuba and beyond, and she found asylum in Canada in the early 1990s. She traveled with a partner she met in Cuba, and they built a life together. They have been together for decades and are grandparents now, symbols of lasting hope after years of upheaval.
Phuc has spoken openly about the lasting effects of her injuries. She sometimes describes her scars in vivid terms and uses her experience to advocate for war survivors, including children who bear both physical and emotional marks. She emphasizes that her scars serve a purpose beyond pain: they remind her that she has a duty not to be a victim but to be a survivor, a mother, a wife, and a grandmother who champions peace.
With longtime collaborator Nick Ut, she founded a foundation that supports children affected by war. The Kim Phuc Foundation carries forward a mission to assist those touched by conflict and to fund efforts that aid healing, often in partnership with other organizations and photographers who share a commitment to humanitarian work.
“I managed to make my dreams come true”
The interview plays on a large screen where the famous image appears enlarged, reminding viewers of the moment that thrust Phuc into the public eye. She recalls her childhood dream of becoming a physician and describes how she pursued a path toward helping others, even when the route took unexpected turns. Her aim was to ease pain and suffering, both physical and emotional, and to use her story to inform and comfort others facing hardship.
The photo that once sparked controversy and anger is now seen by many as a catalyst for awareness and change. Phuc reflects on how the image she initially found painful later became a symbol of resilience and a platform for global advocacy. She notes that fame was never planned and acknowledges that the image altered the course of her life in ways she could not have predicted, including recognition from international figures and institutions.
Phuc does not harbor bitterness toward those who inflicted pain. She describes a personal journey toward forgiveness, a path she credits in part to her faith. She remains cautious about public preaching, stressing that her experiences are personal and that she speaks from conviction rather than a mandate to convert others.
Her ongoing work emphasizes the power of media to reveal truth and shape opinions. Phuc believes it is part of her responsibility to share her story and highlight the realities of war for new generations, arguing that understanding history helps prevent repeating past tragedies.
Yet she makes one clear point: if given the chance to rewrite history, she would choose to erase the bombing scene and embrace a life as a typical girl who grew into a compassionate woman rather than one defined by conflict. Her message centers on humanity and the pursuit of peace, even as the past remains a constant reminder of what happened and why it matters today.