Empress Du Lingyang

Who was Empress Du Lingyang?

Empress Du Lingyang, formally Empress Chengong was an empress of Jin Dynasty. Her husband was Emperor Cheng of Jin.

Du Lingyang was the daughter of Du Ai, a mid-level official and the hereditary Marquess of Dangyang, the grandson of the general Du Yu, who contributed much to Emperor Wu of Jin's conquest of Eastern Wu. Du Ai died early, and Du Lingyang, who did not have any brothers, was raised by her mother Lady Pei.

Du Lingyang was famed for her beauty and virtues, and Emperor Cheng married her as his empress in 336, when both of them were 15. He apparently favored her greatly, but she was sonless. She died in 341, a year before he would die as well.