• Came to the palace as concubine in 636 at age of twelve
• Attained position of power by:
  • Engineering escape from nunnery
  • Returning to palace under Gaozong’s protection
  • Removing Empress Wang and concubine
  • Promoting family members to positions of power
  • Establishing herself as her husband’s equal
• By 666, was permitted to make offerings to the gods beside Gaozong
• Arranged a series of murders, starting in 666
  • In 666, poisoning of teenage niece who attracted Gaozong’s admiring
  • In 674, suspicious demise of her able eldest son, Li Hong
  • In 693, executed fourth son’s wife and chief consort
• After Gaozong’s death in 683, remained the power behind throne
• Manipulated succession of sons until 690, then taking power herself
• In 705, when more than 80 years old, was finally overthrown by another son