Queen Dowager Zhao

Who was Queen Dowager Zhao?

Queen Dowager Zhao was the wife of King Zhuangxiang of Qin and the mother of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. A native of the State of Zhao, she was a concubine of the businessman Lü Buwei, who gave her to Prince Yiren of Qin who was then living in Zhao as a hostage. She gave birth to a son named Zheng. Prince Yiren later ascended the Qin throne and became known as King Zhuangxiang.

When King Zhuangxiang died in 247 BC, Crown Prince Zheng ascended the throne and Lady Zhao became the Queen Dowager. It is said that she had an affair with Lü Buwei. In order to avoid persecution, Lü Buwei gave a man named Lao Ai disguised as a eunuch. They further produced another two illegitimate children. After Lao Ai was killed after he attempted coup d'état, the queen was imprisoned in her palace and her two children were killed. King Zheng later unified China and became known as Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor.