The first female emperor of China was Empress Wu Zetian, who ruled during the Tang dynasty. Wu Zetian rose to power in the 7th century after initially serving as a concubine for Emperor Gaozong and later becoming his empress. Following his death, she consolidated power, declared herself emperor in 690 AD, and established her own dynasty, the Zhou, becoming the only woman in Chinese history to officially hold the title of emperor. Her reign was marked by significant political and social reforms, patronage of Buddhism, and the promotion of meritocracy over aristocracy in governmental appointments, leaving a lasting impact on Chinese history.