Madame Chiang Kai-shek: Former First Lady of China Dies at 105

Madame Chiang Kai-shek, born Soong Mei-ling, was the wife of Chiang Kai-shek and First Lady of the Republic of China. Born on March 4, 1898, in Shanghai, she was educated in the United States and spoke English with a Southern accent.

She acted as her husband's translator and adviser and led the New Life Movement. In 1943 she became the first Chinese national to address both houses of the U.S. Congress while lobbying for support during World War II. After 1949 she followed her husband to Taiwan.

She was one of the three famous Soong sisters, along with Ai-ling and Ching-ling, who married Sun Yat-sen. She had no children with Chiang. She died in New York City on October 23, 2003, at age 105.

Achievements: First Lady of China, first Chinese national to address Congress (1943).

Birth: March 4, 1898 - Shanghai, China.

Profession: First Lady and political figure.

Interesting Facts: Her wartime visit to the White House reportedly included dozens of suitcases, which surprised Eleanor Roosevelt.