Ching Shih
From Prostitute to Ruler of a Pirate Empire
Ching Shih came from humble beginnings, raised in a poor village and forced into prostitution at age 13 to help support the family. Early on, she realized she had a particular way with some of the male clients, and used her wit and beauty to eventually become the ruler of over 80,000 people in a pirate empire of her own making.