Li Li, the most beautiful member of Mao Zedong's family
Staff Reporter 2013-03-14 15:22
Li Li, left. (Internet photo)
Li Li, the grandniece of Mao Zedong, was said to be the most beautiful member of the former Chinese Communist leader's family. Li lost her hearing when she suffered from a high fever at 10 months old and was given an excessive amount of medicine.
She did not see her father Mao Yuanxin until 1982 when she was five years old. Her mother Quan Xioufong brought her to visit Mao, who was imprisoned for 17 years in prison in 1976 after his uncle Mao Zedong died, according to Want Daily, our Chinese-language sister newspaper.
It was the first time Mao Yuanxin ever saw his daughter. He was excited and surprised to see her but Li was afraid of him, hiding behind her mother and unwilling to let him come anywhere close to her.
After Mao left prison in 1993, the three of them moved into a 13-square-meter room in Shanghai, but their relationship did not improve. Li always avoid him and would not even let him touch her hands. It was also very difficult for them to communicate since Li was deaf. Mao was sad and laden with guilt but he decided to amend their relationship by teaching Li arts, helping her to be independent. He taught her how to sketch and paint in watercolor.
Li entered the art class of Shanghai Youth Technical School For Deaf-Mutes when she was 16. Mao began teaching her to use computer after school. She was enrolled in a class for the deaf and dumb at the College of Fine Arts, Shanghai University and graduated in 2000. Mao, again, began helping her to learn English. Their relationship has greatly improved and Li now takes care of her aging father, according to Want Daily.
Mao Yuanxi was a rising political star before he was imprisoned. He was considered a "reliable successor" of Mao Zedong and had a close relationship with Mao Zedong's wife Jiang Qing. He changed his name to Li Shi after he was released in October 1993. Mao Zedong gave Mao Yuanxin the name after he took part in a movement launched by Mao Zedong in the summer of 1965. Mao Yuanxin was assigned to work at an automobiles quality examination institute in Shanghai after completing his prison sentence. He retired in 2001 and received a monthly pension of 1,080 yuan (US$173) given to family members of Chinese political leaders.
