Soong Mei-ling

Born into one of China's most powerful families, Soong Mei-ling was educated in the United States, emerging with a perfect English accent and a formidable intellect. She married Chiang Kai-shek, cementing an alliance that propelled them both to the apex of Chinese power, though some might argue he was merely the accessory.

As First Lady of the Republic of China, she became a globally recognized figure, charming Western audiences and lobbying tirelessly for support against both Japanese invasion and Communist insurgency. Her diplomacy was so effective, one might suspect she learned it by bargaining down prices in a Shanghai market.

While her commitment to her nation was undeniable, her family's legendary wealth and occasional dalliances with corruption meant she was more likely to be found at a high-society gala than a synagogue. Her legacy is one of power, influence, and an enduring mystery as to how she always looked so impeccably chic amidst civil war.