Wu Zhou - Events in her life - Ancient China By ovanderlin 624 Wu Zhou is born 649 Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Taizong, died 660 Gaozong, Taizong's son, has a stroke. Giving Wu Zhou the opportunity to take over some of his duties 683 She appointed one of her sons as emperor 690 Wu Zhou crowned herself emperor, as she was tired being "the power behind the throne" 705 She dies after controlling China for approximately half-a-century