Who was Wu Zetian, and how did she become China's only female emperor?

Wu Zetian (624–705 CE) was the only woman in Chinese history to rule as an emperor in her own right. She governed during the Tang dynasty, eventually establishing her own brief period known as the Zhou dynasty.

She rose to power through a remarkable combination of intellect, political maneuvering, and ruthlessness. Here is how she ascended:

Early Life and Entry into the Palace Wu Zetian entered the court of Emperor Taizong at age 14 as a low-ranking concubine. While she was not a primary favorite of Taizong, she became well-educated and gained an understanding of court politics during her years there.

Rise to Empress After Emperor Taizong died, tradition dictated that his childless concubines be sent to a monastery. However, she had already formed a relationship with Taizong’s son, the future Emperor Gaozong. He brought her back to the palace, where she quickly became his favorite.

She eliminated her rivals—including the sitting Empress Wang—through strategic accusations and by skillfully navigating the court's factions. By 655 CE, she was named Empress consort.

Consolidating Power As Gaozong’s health declined, Wu Zetian began to rule from behind the scenes. She was highly effective at administration, reforming the civil service examination system to allow people from less aristocratic backgrounds to serve in government, which helped weaken the power of the old nobility.

The Path to Emperor After Emperor Gaozong died in 683 CE, Wu Zetian ruled as regent for her sons. She eventually deposed them, claiming that they were unfit to rule. In 690 CE, she took the extraordinary step of declaring herself "Emperor" (Huangdi) and establishing the Zhou dynasty.

Legacy Her reign was marked by:

• Stability and Expansion: She expanded China’s borders and maintained a strong military.
• Support for Buddhism: She promoted Buddhism over Taoism to legitimize her rule, as certain scriptures contained prophecies of a female deity turning into a world ruler.
• Effective Governance: She was known for being a harsh leader who used a secret police force to eliminate dissent, but historians also recognize her as an exceptionally capable administrator who oversaw a period of economic and agricultural prosperity.

She ruled until she was forced to abdicate in 705 CE, shortly before her death, when power was restored to the Tang line.