The Soong Sisters are often summarised through one of Mao Zedong’s famous sayings: “One loved money, one loved power, one loved her country.” Although very different, these three women led extraordinary lives, nurtured just as extraordinary relationships, and even changed the course of Chinese history. During the early 20th century, opportunities for women were far rarer than they are today. But one way to achieve influence was to marry into it, so the Soong Sisters did just that.
Humble beginnings
The sisters’ story begins with their father, Charles Jones Soong (1863-1918). Raised in Hainan, the smallest and southernmost province of the People’s Republic of China, Charlie Soong was a peasant boy with big dreams. Following an apprenticeship in the East Indies, he relocated to the United States to be educated and trained as a Methodist missionary. After a brief stint working as a publisher of Chinese Bibles back in Shanghai, he switched gears completely and, with the help of an American patron, he quickly became a wealthy industrialist involved in a number of different businesses.
Esta historia es de la edición Issue 132 de All About History UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición Issue 132 de All About History UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Greatest Battles - BATTLE OF SHIROYAMA
KAGOSHIMA, JAPAN, 1-24 SEPTEMBER 1877
WOMEN IN COMPUTING
From Ada Lovelace to the codebreakers of WWII, John Croucher discusses the role of women in computing
"IT'S IMPORTANT THAT BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE OWN OUR OWN HISTORY"
Blindness and blind people have usually been framed in history as inspirational or tragic, but now Selina Mills wants to question that narrative
Bess of Hardwick ELIZABETH'S NEMESIS
Who was the ambitious Tudor noblewoman who proved to be a thorn in Gloriana’s side?
THE GOLDEN AGE OF SMUGGLING
Discover the age when the coasts of Britain were awash with illegal goods
What's in a name?
20 strangest royal nicknames from history (and where they came from)
GODS OF EGYPT
Discover how ancient Egyptians explained the mysteries of the world
OPPENHEIMER
Christopher Nolan's latest history-themed blockbuster is an artistic triumph
JAPAN HAD REMAINED ISOLATIONIST?
While Japan keeps its distance, overall supremacy of the region could be up for grabs
BATTLE OF SHIPKA PASS
SHIPKA, BULGARIA, JULY 1877-JANUARY 1878