Chairman Mao Zedong
Chairman Mao, the formidable architect of the People’s Republic of China, commanded an era marked by a chilling reign of terror, claiming an unfathomable 40 to 80 million lives. Yet, his charismatic persona and monumental feats – notably expelling imperialism from China – ensured his iron grip on power remained unchallenged. His reign, paradoxically peaceful for him, ended naturally with his death on September 9th, 1976, aged 82.
While Mao’s death didn’t bring him to justice, it did trigger the collapse of the infamous “Gang of Four”. This radical group, spearheaded by his wife Jiang Qing, had orchestrated the most egregious acts of the Cultural Revolution. Following his demise, Mao’s body was preserved for posterity, transforming him into a deity of sorts. A staggering one million Chinese formed a sea of mourners, eager to bid their final adieu.