Empress Wu Zetian - Powerful Woman #006

Wu Zetian was the wife of emperor Gaozong, she is the only legitimate female sovereign in the history of China, as women could not claim access to the throne. She was also the mother of emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong. After her husband, emperor Gaozong, suffered a stroke, she became administrator at the court and her status became equal to that of the emperor. Even before that time, her strong character and influence made her the real power behind the throne. There seems to have been a lot of strange court intrigues before her accession to power. She was known as a great military leader, keeping China's borders in check and expending the empire, as well as supporting Buddhism, Taoism, and ...View all