Ye Qun

Ye Qun (葉群, 1917-1971) was a prominent figure in the People's Republic of China, best known as the wife of Lin Biao, a key military leader and designated successor to Mao Zedong. She held significant political power in her own right, particularly during the Cultural Revolution.

Ye Qun was born in Guangxi Province. She joined the Communist Party of China in the 1930s and participated in revolutionary activities. After marrying Lin Biao in 1943, her political influence grew considerably.

During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), Ye Qun rose to become a powerful member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and director of the General Office of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This position allowed her to exert significant control over the PLA's administrative and propaganda apparatus. She was a staunch supporter of Mao Zedong and played an active role in the purges and political campaigns of the era. She was a key player in the elevation of Lin Biao's status and the cult of personality surrounding him.

Ye Qun's life ended abruptly in 1971, along with Lin Biao and their son Lin Liguo, in a plane crash in Mongolia. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain controversial. The official explanation from the Chinese government is that Lin Biao had plotted to assassinate Mao Zedong and seize power, and that they were fleeing to the Soviet Union after the plot was exposed. This event, known as the Lin Biao Incident, marked a turning point in the Cultural Revolution and had a profound impact on Chinese politics. Following her death, Ye Qun was posthumously expelled from the Communist Party of China and denounced as a counter-revolutionary. Her legacy remains deeply intertwined with the controversies and excesses of the Cultural Revolution.