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

Peng Liyuan, the wife of Xi Jinping
China's First Lady?
A fascinating character
Army woman
Her transition to singing
Distinguished military career
How Peng Liyuan met Xi Jinping
Xi, a lonely 33-year-old divorcee
The love story of Xi and Peng
Music star with husband and daughter
Withdrawal from showbiz
Peng Liyuan and Chinese government
A seat in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Assembly
51st most powerful woman (2017)
Peng brought glamour in Xi's life
Stylish
Goodwill Ambassador
The Chairman's wife
Peng Liyuan, the wife of Xi Jinping

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.

China's First Lady?

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.

"She is a communist, a military and a patriot"

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."

A fascinating character

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.

Army woman

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.

Her transition to singing

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.

Distinguished military career

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

How Peng Liyuan met Xi Jinping

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.

Xi, a lonely 33-year-old divorcee

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."

 

The love story of Xi and Peng

"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.

Music star with husband and daughter

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.

Withdrawal from showbiz

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.

Peng Liyuan and Chinese government

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.

A seat in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Assembly

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.

51st most powerful woman (2017)

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

Peng brought glamour in Xi's life

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

Stylish

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

Goodwill Ambassador

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.

The Chairman's wife

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.

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