I am Wu Zetian, I was Empress of China from 660 to 705, ruling first through others and then (from 690) in my own right. I ruled first as empress consort, through my husband Emperor Gaozong and then as an empress dowager, through my sons Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong, from 660 to 690, not unprecedented in Chinese history. I subsequently founded and ruled as female emperor of the Wu Zhou dynasty of China from 690 to 705. I was the only female sovereign in the history of China widely regarded as legitimate. Under my 45-year reign, China grew larger, becoming one of the great powers of the world, its culture and economy were revitalized, and corruption in the court was reduced. I was eventually removed from power during a coup and died a few months later.