Ankhkheperure Smenkhkare (sometimes spelled Smenkhare and Smenkare; meaning "Strong is the Soul of Ra") was a Pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty, successor of Akhenaten, and predecessor of Tutankhamun. Smenkhkare's rule lasted for approximately 1 year. Other Egyptologists suggest that this pharaoh's independent reign may have been as short as a few months. Tutankhamun's reign began immediately after Smenkhkare's death. It is believed that Smenkhkare was the father of Tut and reigned for 3 years.