Xi Jinping's glamorous wife, Peng Liyuan: from showbiz to immense power

She's one of the most powerful women in China and the world, and she's also a cultural icon. But even though she's a folk singer, style reference, and the 'First Lady' of the biggest population in the world, Peng Liyuan has managed to remain somewhat mysterious.

Internationally, we could see her as the 'First Lady' of China. But the Chinese don't like to call their leader a president, and therefore, they don't consider her as a 'First Lady,' La Vanguardia states.

What the Spanish outlet does name her is "a communist, a military (woman) and a patriot, but also an artist, a practicing Buddhist, and an enemy of tobacco in a country of inveterate smokers."

How did this fascinating woman get to the highest ranks of power? Let's have a look at her life of wealth, power, and glamour.

Peng Liyuan was born in 1962 in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong. At age 18, in 1980, she joined the People's Liberation Army.

While in the army, she discovered her singing talents. Peng Liyuan took it upon herself to encourage the troops by singing. She joined the People's Liberation Army Music Band in 1984, ABC Australia recalls.

Peng Liyuan reached the rank of General in the army. According to La Vanguardia, she performed in uniform to motivate soldiers.

Xi and Peng were introduced through mutual friends in 1986, ABC reports. When they met, Peng was already a famous singer of opera and folk music. She was better known than he was.

According to Chinese state media, cited by ABC, the 24-year-old Peng was "set up by a friend to meet with Xi, a 33-year-old divorced deputy mayor of Xiamen city in Fujian Province." To stress the difference between the two, ABC describes the politician as a "lonely divorcee."

"Peng wore 'loose army pants' to see if Xi was only interested in her for her appearance and fame," ABC reports. "Xi later told Peng that he... fell for her during their first date. 'I already recognized you as my future wife the first 40 minutes we met,' he declared." A very sweet love story from the Chinese state media.

They were married on September 1, 1987, in Xiamen, Fujian. In 1992, they had a daughter named Xi Mingze. All this time, Peng Liyuan continued her successful musical career.

In 2007, as her husband rose to the level of Communist Party chairman in Shanghai, Peng Liyuan was forced to give up her career. She had to maintain the "discretion" expected of a high-ranking official's wife, the South China Morning Post reports.

When Xi Jinping rose to national leadership, he decided to take advantage of his wife's talents by making her president of the Army's Art Academy.

He also "sought her a seat in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Assembly, a legislative advisory institution that serves as an upper house," according to La Vanguardia.

Forbes ranked her the 51st most powerful woman in the world in 2017.

The music star is recognized in Chinese media for her fashion sense and hairstyles, BBC reports.

We can confirm it: In every public appearance, Peng Liyuan looks elegant and glamorous.

In addition to the important positions she performs in her country, she also stands out for her role as Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization (WHO) thanks to her campaign for the prevention and cure of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

Despite all this fame and glamour, Peng Liyuan continues to try and make her role in the country as discreet as possible. She's the Chairman's wife, not a First Lady.