Life in pictures: Madame Chiang Kai-shek

1 of 7 Soong May-ling was born into one of the wealthiest and most influential families in pre-revolutionary China

2 of 7 All three sisters married men who helped shape China's modern history, and are remembered for loving power (May-ling), money (Ai-ling) and China (Ching-ling)

3 of 7 Madame Chiang's charm, fluent English and passion for her cause won her huge popular support in the US, where she had been educated

4 of 7 She was pivotal in winning US backing and money for her husband's fight, as here with President Roosevelt

5 of 7 General Joseph Stilwell (right), who commanded US troops in China, described her as "direct, forceful, energetic. Loves power"

6 of 7 After the Nationalists were forced to flee to Taiwan, Madame Chiang remained an influential figure, seen here with Eleanor Roosevelt

7 of 7 It was only once Chiang's health began to waver that she lost her grip on power, moving to the US after he died