Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People’s Republic of China, is a figure surrounded by controversy, admiration, and mystery. While many recognize him for his role in shaping modern China, there are several surprising and lesser-known aspects of his life and leadership. From his unconventional personal habits to his unexpected alliances, these facts shed new light on one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.
1. He Was an Avid Poet
Despite being a revolutionary leader, Mao was also a passionate poet. He wrote classical Chinese poetry throughout his life, and his works are still studied in China today. His poetry often reflected his military campaigns and political ideology.
2. Mao Rarely Brushed His Teeth
Mao believed that rinsing his mouth with tea was sufficient for oral hygiene. He rarely, if ever, brushed his teeth, claiming that tigers never brushed theirs either—yet they still had strong teeth.
3. He Had a Fascination with Swimming
In 1966, at the age of 72, Mao famously swam across the Yangtze River in Wuhan to demonstrate his strength. The event was widely publicized as a symbol of his enduring vitality.
4. His Policies Led to One of History’s Deadliest Famines
The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962), a campaign aimed at rapidly industrializing China, resulted in widespread famine. Historians estimate that tens of millions of people died due to food shortages and misguided agricultural policies.
5. He Resisted Taking Baths, Preferring to Be Wiped Down Instead
Mao reportedly disliked bathing in water and instead had his attendants wipe him down with hot towels.
6. Mao’s Body is Still on Display
After his death in 1976, Mao’s body was embalmed and remains on display at the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, despite his own wish to be cremated.
7. He Was Once a Librarian
Before becoming a revolutionary, Mao worked as an assistant librarian at Peking University in Beijing. This job exposed him to Marxist literature and revolutionary ideas that would later shape his ideology.
8. He Had No Formal Military Training
Despite leading the Communist forces to victory in the Chinese Civil War and founding the People’s Republic of China, Mao had no formal military education. His strategies were largely self-taught and based on guerrilla warfare tactics.
9. He Loved Western Films
Mao enjoyed watching Hollywood movies, particularly ones starring Charlie Chaplin and Marlon Brando. Even as he criticized Western culture, he found entertainment in Western cinema.
10. He Had a Unique Sleeping Schedule
Mao often worked late into the night and slept during the day. His unusual schedule meant that government officials had to adjust their routines to match his sleeping habits.
11. His Calligraphy Is Highly Valued
Mao was an accomplished calligrapher, and his handwriting is still admired in China. His calligraphic style has influenced public signage, official documents, and even commercial branding.
12. He Had a Vast Network of Personal Spies
Mao was extremely paranoid about internal threats and maintained an extensive network of informants within the Communist Party and beyond. Many close allies were purged due to suspicions of disloyalty.
13. He Once Wanted to Send 10 Million Chinese Women to the U.S.
In a 1973 conversation with Henry Kissinger, Mao jokingly (or perhaps seriously) suggested sending 10 million Chinese women to America as a way to reduce China’s population.
14. He Promoted Traditional Chinese Medicine but Avoided Western Medicine for Himself
Mao pushed for the use of traditional Chinese medicine in the healthcare system, but when it came to his own health, he relied on Western medical treatments.
15. He Had a Secret Underground Bunker
Concerned about potential nuclear attacks, Mao had a secret underground bunker built in Beijing, known as “Project 131.” It was designed to shelter top Communist leaders in case of war.
16. He Had a Huge Collection of Books But Rarely Read Them
Mao was known for keeping a vast personal library, but many of his close aides claimed that he rarely read most of the books he collected. Instead, he often relied on his advisors for summaries.
17. He Once Considered Invading Taiwan with a Massive Army of Swimmers
Mao explored a bizarre military strategy to invade Taiwan by having millions of soldiers swim across the Taiwan Strait. The idea was quickly abandoned due to its obvious impracticality.
18. He Changed His Own Name Multiple Times
Mao’s birth name was “Mao Zedong,” but throughout his early life, he adopted different pseudonyms, including “Runzhi” and “Zi-ren,” to reflect different stages of his political beliefs and philosophical growth.
19. He Rarely Traveled Outside of China
Despite leading China for decades, Mao made very few international trips. One of his rare visits abroad was to the Soviet Union in 1949, where he met with Joseph Stalin.
20. He Had a Special Train Instead of a Plane
Mao rarely flew on airplanes, preferring to travel in a specially designed train with luxurious furnishings and a full staff to meet his needs.
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