Chinese President Xi Jinping

A lonely divorcee, Xi Jinping met Peng Liyuan, when he was 33. The famous and well-connected singer would change everything for the ambitious young ...

Peng steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a major general in the military in 2009. "Because of her experience, she really knows how to play her role in front of the public," said Dr Xie. "The party rooms put constraints on the role that the spouse of a political party leader plays in the party politics. And China is in the midst of a heated debate "It will be interesting to see whether the growing political influence of Peng Liyuan in the CCP could get her to be increasingly involved in the party politics," he said. Professor Guo said over the years, Xi has become "one of the most unpopular world leaders in the West", and Peng was vital in softening his image. Mao's fourth wife was a former actress who rose to power and became the leading figure of the "Gang of Four", a political faction that ruled the Chinese Communist Party during the Cultural Revolution. Who is Xi Jinping's wife? In the history of the People's Republic of China, there has never been a first lady like Peng. Peng wore "loose army pants" to see if Xi was only interested in her for her appearance and fame. "She has been viewed as one of the most important figures who lubricated a smooth relationship between Xi and the People's Liberation Army," said Professor Guo. In a 1999 interview with a Hong Kong talk show, the famous folk singer said she wanted a man who was "successful, ambitious and bossy in relationship".