Wu Zetian- China’s only female Emperor

An Asian woman in traditional ornate gold and black attire with pink flowers in her hand, wearing elaborate gold jewelry and a large gold headdress.
A traditional Japanese scroll with black kanji characters on a cream-colored background, decorated with ornate tassels.

Did she kill her own daughter?

No one knows. The accusation appears in later historical accounts, but there is no conclusive evidence. Historians continue to debate what really happened?

Was Wu Zetian a ruthless usurper?

It depends. She seized power through extraordinary means but also strengthened the Tang dynasty with major political and administrative reforms.