Li Shuxian
Encyclopedia
Li Shuxian aka Li Shu-Hsien (李淑賢; pinyin
: Lĭ Shúxían) (1925 – 9 June 1997) was the fifth and last wife of Puyi
, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty
in China
.
She was a Han Chinese
and a former hospital worker. In 1959, after fifteen years in prison, Puyi was pardoned. The pair were introduced to one another by a friend in 1962 and wed that same year. Premier Zhou Enlai
greeted their marriage. They had no children. She accompanied Puyi to his last days.
After her husband's death, Li retired from public view. Since she was not a regular hospital employee, her life became difficult. Premier Zhou Enlai asked a relevant governmental office to give her special financial relief.
In the early eighties she sought and received legal ownership of royalties from Puyi's autobiography from the government of China. She later became wealthy by publishing her own memoirs about her final years with Puyi. She narrated as a writer wrote.
Approved by the government, she moved Puyi’s ashes closer to his ancestors in the Western Qing Tombs
(清西陵) from the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery
. She died of lung cancer
at the age of 72. In her will, she requested that she, Puyi, and Puyi’s 2nd concubine Tan Yuling
(谭玉龄) be buried together in the cemetery. However, her wishes have thus far not been realized.
Pinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
: Lĭ Shúxían) (1925 – 9 June 1997) was the fifth and last wife of Puyi
Puyi
Puyi , of the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan, was the last Emperor of China, and the twelfth and final ruler of the Qing Dynasty. He ruled as the Xuantong Emperor from 1908 until his abdication on 12 February 1912. From 1 to 12 July 1917 he was briefly restored to the throne as a nominal emperor by the...
, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
She was a Han Chinese
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
and a former hospital worker. In 1959, after fifteen years in prison, Puyi was pardoned. The pair were introduced to one another by a friend in 1962 and wed that same year. Premier Zhou Enlai
Zhou Enlai
Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, serving from October 1949 until his death in January 1976...
greeted their marriage. They had no children. She accompanied Puyi to his last days.
After her husband's death, Li retired from public view. Since she was not a regular hospital employee, her life became difficult. Premier Zhou Enlai asked a relevant governmental office to give her special financial relief.
In the early eighties she sought and received legal ownership of royalties from Puyi's autobiography from the government of China. She later became wealthy by publishing her own memoirs about her final years with Puyi. She narrated as a writer wrote.
Approved by the government, she moved Puyi’s ashes closer to his ancestors in the Western Qing Tombs
Western Qing Tombs
The Western Qing Tombs are located some southwest of Beijing in Hebei province near the town of Yixian. The Western Qing Tombs is a necropolis that incorporate four royal mausoleums where seventy-eight royal members in all are buried...
(清西陵) from the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery
Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery
The Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery is Beijing's main resting place for revolutionary heroes, high government officials and in recent years, any individual deemed important due to their contributions to society. In Chinese, Babaoshan literally means "The Eight-Treasure Mountains"...
. She died of lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
at the age of 72. In her will, she requested that she, Puyi, and Puyi’s 2nd concubine Tan Yuling
Tan Yuling
-External links:*...
(谭玉龄) be buried together in the cemetery. However, her wishes have thus far not been realized.