The last reigning empress of the last dynasty in China was Empress Dowager Cixi, who effectively ruled from 1861 until her death in 1908. Cixi dominated the Qing dynasty through a series of regencies and served as a powerful political figure during a tumultuous period marked by internal strife, foreign intervention, and the decline of imperial power. While she has been criticized for resisting modernization and reforms, she played a critical role in navigating China's complex political landscape, including dealing with the Boxer Rebellion and the reform movements of the late 19th century. Her reign ultimately coincided with the eventual fall of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.