Wu Zetian
Founding empress of Zhou dynasty (r. 690–705); de facto ruler of Tang dynasty from 665 to 690
- Lived
- 624–705
- Country
- Zhou dynasty (690–705)
Updated September 2026
About Wu Zetian
Empress Zetian, personal name Wu Zhao, was the only undisputed female sovereign in the history of China. She had previously held power as the empress consort of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty from 660 to 683 and as empress dowager during the reigns of her sons, Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong, between 683 and 690. She was the sole ruler of the self-styled Zhou dynasty from 690 to 705.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.