Soong Ching-ling

Honorary President of the People's Republic of China

27 January 1893 Shanghai, Jiangsu, Qing Empire

29 May 1981(1981-05-29) (88) Beijing, People's Republic of China

27 April 1959 – 17 January 1975 Served alongside Dong Biwu during the 2nd and 3rd National People's Congresses

Chinese political figure "Song Qingling" redirects here. For the field hockey player, see Song Qingling (field hockey). In this Chinese name, the family name is Soong (宋, Sòng) . Madam Rosamond Soong Ch'ing-ling宋庆龄 Honorary President of the People's Republic of ChinaAppointed by the Standing Committee of the 5th National People's Congress on 16 May 1981PremierZhao ZiyangLeaderDeng Xiaoping and Chen Yun2nd Vice Chairperson of the People's Republic of ChinaIn office 27 April 1959 – 17 January 1975 Served alongside Dong Biwu during the 2nd and 3rd National People's CongressesPresidentLiu Shaoqi vacant (1968–1972) Dong Biwu (Acting) Preceded by Zhu DeSucceeded by Ulanhu (1983) Chairwomen of the People's Republic of ChinaIn office 31 October 1968 – 24 February 1972 Co-acting alongside Dong Biwu as Vice Chairpersons of the People's Republic of China during the 3rd National People's CongressPremierZhou EnlaiLeaderMao ZedongPreceded by Liu Shaoqi (as Chairman) Succeeded by Dong Biwu (as Acting Chairman) In office 6 July 1976 – 5 March 1978 As acting Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the 4th National People's CongressPremierHua GuofengLeaderHua GuofengPreceded by Zhu De (died in office) Succeeded by Ye JianyingVice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's CongressIn office 17 January 1975 – 29 May 1981 4th and 5th National People's CongressesChairmanZhu De (died in office) Ye JianyingIn office 15 September 1954 – 18 April 1959 1st National People's CongressChairmanLiu ShaoqiVice Chairperson of the Central People's GovernmentIn office 1 October 1949 – 27 September 1954 Served alongside Zhu De, Liu Shaoqi, Li Jishen, Zhang Lan, Gao GangChairmanMao ZedongPreceded by Government establishedSucceeded by Zhu De (as Vice Chairman of the PRC) Personal detailsBorn(1893-01-27 ) 27 January 1893 Shanghai, Jiangsu, Qing EmpireDied29 May 1981(1981-05-29) (aged 88) Beijing, People's Republic of ChinaCause of deathLeukemiaPolitical partyKuomintang (1919–1947) Communist International (1930s–1943) Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (1948–1981) Communist Party of China (1981) Spouse(s)Sun Yat-sen (1915–1925) ParentsCharlie Soong and Ni Kwei-tsengAlma materWesleyan College Soong Ching-lingTraditional Chinese宋慶齡 Simplified Chinese宋庆龄 TranscriptionsStandard MandarinHanyu PinyinSòng Qìnglíng Gwoyeu RomatzyhSonq Chinqling Wade–GilesSung4 Ch'ing4-ling3 IPA Yue: CantoneseYale RomanizationSung Hing-lìhng JyutpingSung3 Hing3-ling4 Rosamond Soong Ch'ing-ling (27 January 1893 – 29 May 1981) was a Chinese political figure. As the third wife of Sun Yat-sen, one of the leaders of the 1911 revolution that established the Republic of China, she was often referred to as Madame Sun Yat-sen. She was a member of the Soong family and, together with her siblings, played a prominent role in China's politics prior to and after 1949. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, she held several prominent positions in the new government, including Vice Chairman (1949–1954; 1959–1975) and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (1954–1959; 1975–1981), traveled abroad during the early 1950s, representing her country at a number of international events. During the Cultural Revolution, however, she was heavily criticized. Following the purge of President Liu Shaoqi in 1968, she and Dong Biwu as Vice Presidents became de facto Heads of State of China until 1972, when Dong was appointed Acting President. Soong survived the political turmoil during the Cultural Revolution but appeared less frequently after 1976. As the acting Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress from 1976 to 1978, Soong was again the acting Head of State. During her final illness in May 1981, she was given the special title of "Honorary President of the People's Republic of China".