Tzuhsi
Tz'u-hsi, or Tze-hsi, (1835–1908), Dowager Empress of China. A shrewd, forceful, and ambitious woman, she was virtual ruler of China for nearly half a century. Her rigidly conservative policies and her failure to recognize China's need for modernization helped lead to the downfall of the Manchu Dynasty. Reforms she began eary in the 20th century came too late to prevent revolution.
Tz'u-hsi was born in Canton (Guangzhou). At the age of 16, she was presented to Emperor Hsienfeng as a concubine. She bore him his only son. After the emperor's death, Tz'u-hsi became regent for her young son T'ung-chih, the new emperor. She dominated his reign, 1862–75, and that of his successor, her nephew Kuang-hsu, 1875–1908.