Legends of China with Yanli Xu

In this episode of Legends of China, we explore the extraordinary life of Wu Zetian, the only woman in Chinese history to rule as emperor. She entered the imperial palace as a teenager, around the age of 14, during the Tang Dynasty, beginning as a concubine with little power but great ambition and intelligence. Over decades of political struggle and strategy, she rose through the ranks and eventually took the throne in 690 at about the age of 67, establishing her own rule and reshaping the empire. After a reign marked by strong leadership as well as controversy, she was forced to step down in 705 at around 82 years old and died later that same year. Her journey from a young girl in the palace to the most powerful woman in Chinese history makes her story one of the most remarkable in the world.