Mao Zedong's marriages and children
During his life Mao had four times, and by the people of China he was considered a womanizer with a fondness for women, especially actresses.
Luo Yigu
Luo was Mao's first wife and also his cousin. Their parents arranged for Mao to marry Luo when he was thirteen and she was seventeen in 1908. Although they were married the couple never lived together and Mao never recognized her as his wife.
The couple were married until 1910 when Luo died of dysentry.
The couple were married until 1910 when Luo died of dysentry.
Yang Kaihui
Mao and Yang were married in 1920. The couple worked together in the communist part from 1922.
Together they had three children: Mao Anying (1922-1950), Mao Anqing (1923-2007) and Mao Anlong (1927-1931).
Yang died when the couple were still married in the November of 1930. In the October Yang and their son Anying were captured by the local KMT. The group wanted her to publicly renounce Mao, but she refused to do so. By refusing to renounce Mao she was publicly executed. Anying was forced to watch his mother being shot.
Together they had three children: Mao Anying (1922-1950), Mao Anqing (1923-2007) and Mao Anlong (1927-1931).
Yang died when the couple were still married in the November of 1930. In the October Yang and their son Anying were captured by the local KMT. The group wanted her to publicly renounce Mao, but she refused to do so. By refusing to renounce Mao she was publicly executed. Anying was forced to watch his mother being shot.
He Zizhen
He was Mao's third wife. He joined the Communist Party in 1926, and she like Mao was an expert guerrilla fighter, but He was a capable fighter also.
In total Mao and He had three sons and three daughters, but except for their daughter Li Min ll their children died young or were separated from their family.
Their children were: Yang Yuehua (b. 1929), Fourth son whose name is unknown (b. 1930), Second daughter name also unknown (b. 1935), Mao Anhong (b. 1932), Li Min (b. 1936) and Sixth sons name also unknown (b. 1938).
Mao and He were married until 1937.
In total Mao and He had three sons and three daughters, but except for their daughter Li Min ll their children died young or were separated from their family.
Their children were: Yang Yuehua (b. 1929), Fourth son whose name is unknown (b. 1930), Second daughter name also unknown (b. 1935), Mao Anhong (b. 1932), Li Min (b. 1936) and Sixth sons name also unknown (b. 1938).
Mao and He were married until 1937.
Jiang Qing
Jiang was Mao's fourth and last wife, she played a large role in the communist party especially during the Cultural Revolution. The institutes opened in Mao's name during the Cultural Revolution were under the control of Jiang.
After Mao's death in 1976, Jiang (part of the Gang of Four) maintained control of China's institutions. Shortly after Mao's death Jiang lost the support and justification for her political activities. She was arrested in October 1976 and was accused of being a counter-revolutionary. Although sentenced to execution her sentence was altered to life imprisonment in 1983. In May 1991 she was released for medical treatment, but committed suicide before she could return to prison.
After Mao's death in 1976, Jiang (part of the Gang of Four) maintained control of China's institutions. Shortly after Mao's death Jiang lost the support and justification for her political activities. She was arrested in October 1976 and was accused of being a counter-revolutionary. Although sentenced to execution her sentence was altered to life imprisonment in 1983. In May 1991 she was released for medical treatment, but committed suicide before she could return to prison.