Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang

Who was Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang?

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, earlier known as Empress Xiaozhuangwen, was a concubine of the Qing Dynasty ruler Hong Taiji, who was declared his spouse officially although not his first wife and she became empress in 1636. She better known historically after becoming the empress dowager. She was the mother of Hong Taiji's successor, the Shunzhi Emperor, and grandmother of Shunzhi's successor, the Kangxi Emperor. She wielded significant influence in the Qing imperial court during the reigns of her son and especially, during that of her grandson. Known for her wisdom and political insight, Empress Xiaozhuangwen is a respected figure in the history of the Qing Dynasty.