The Pirate Queen

Zheng Yi Sao was an 18th century woman in China, which means she had three strikes against her already, but she was smart and ambitious. She understood power dynamics, politics, and spotting an opportunity. We don't know too much about her early life, but she stepped into history when she impressed and then married Zheng Yi, a powerful pirate captain, and demanded that she be an equal partner in his enterprises. This was apparently well worth it to him. Upon Zheng Yi's death, Zheng Yi Sao, who was already an equal partner, wasn't about to let her sons call the shots. That's how she got the title the Pirate Queen.

As she consolidated power and led raids on various communities, she became known as Ching Shi, commander of up to 80,000 pirates and thousands of ships. How did she wield such power? She commanded loyalty by sharing spoils among the pirates. She had strict rules, but they weren't all that onerous considering the rewards. Non-pirates were terrified of her, as the fleet's raids could leave thousands dead in the communities they plundered. Neither the Chinese government nor fleets of other countries could hold a candle to the confederate pirate fleet under Ching Shi's command. How did this reign of terror end? Not the way you'd think. Remember, the Pirate Queen was a master at spotting an opportunity.