Empress Wu (Song dynasty)

Empress Xiansheng
宪圣慈烈皇后
Empress consort of the Southern Song dynasty
Tenure18 May 1143 – 24 July 1162
PredecessorEmpress Xianjie
SuccessorEmpress Xia
Tenure24 July 1162 – 9 November 1187
Empress dowager of the Southern Song dynasty
Tenure9 November 1187 – 28 June 1194
Grand empress dowager of the Southern Song dynasty
Tenure28 June 1194 – 12 December 1197
Born11 September 1115
Bianjing, Henan, China
Died12 December 1197(1197-12-12) (aged 82)
Lin'an, Zhejiang, China
Burial
Yongsiling (永思陵)
Shaoxing, Zhejiang
SpouseEmperor Gaozong
Posthumous name
Empress Xiansheng Cilie (憲聖慈烈皇后)
FatherWu Jin

Empress Wu (11 September 1115 – 12 December 1197) was a Chinese empress consort of the Song dynasty, married to Emperor Gaozong of Song. She played an influential part in politics of the Southern Song dynasty for 35 years having caused the abdication of three subsequent monarchs: Emperor Gaozong in 1162, Emperor Xiaozong in 1189, and Emperor Guangzong in 1194.[1]

  1. ^ Lily Xiao Hong Lee, Sue Wiles: Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 - 1644