The English translation for 慈禧太后 (Cixi Empress Dowager) is Empress Dowager Cixi. Here are a few points explaining who she was:
1. Empress Dowager Cixi was a powerful and controversial figure in Chinese history. She began her life as a concubine and went on to become the de facto ruler of China for nearly five decades.
2. Born in 1835, she entered the Forbidden City at age 16 as a concubine to Emperor Xianfeng. After his death and the accession of his young son, Emperor Tongzhi, Cixi became one of his closest advisors.
3. When Emperor Tongzhi died unexpectedly at the age of 18 in 1875, Cixi seized power and kept it until her own death in 1908. During this time, she overseen many modernization efforts and technological advancements in China.
4. Despite her accomplishments, Cixi is often portrayed as an oppressive figure who maintained her power through cruelty and manipulation. Nevertheless, her legacy endures, and she remains a significant figure in Chinese history.
