Deng Xianlie

Deng Xianlie, born in 1902, was the elder sister of China's renowned politician Deng Xiaoping. Her family members included her father Deng Shaochang, her mother Deng Danshi, and her stepmother Xia Bogen.

Deng Xianlie played an important role within the family. She maintained harmonious relationships with her siblings, especially sharing a close bond with Deng Xiaoping. Her family had several brothers and sisters, including Deng Xiansheng (i.e., Deng Xiaoping), Deng Xianxiu (i.e., Deng Ken), Deng Xianzhi (i.e., Deng Shuping), as well as several sisters such as Deng Xianzhen, Deng Xianfu, Deng Xianrong, and Deng Xianqun. Deng Xianzhen passed away at the age of ten due to illness.

In her early life, she primarily grew up together with Deng Xiaoping. Records indicate that before the age of five, Deng Xianlie and Deng Xiaoping played together at home, often engaged in a game called "touching money" (a traditional game). In their games, Deng Xiaoping would usually share half of the New Year's money he received during festivals with his sister, and they would play "touching money" together, competing to see who would lose first. During these games, Xiaoping frequently won, while his sister would accept the results with a smile.

Within the family, Deng Ken was the third eldest among the siblings. Deng Xiaoping's original name was "Deng Xiansheng." He was born in 1911, when he was seven years old, and Deng Xianlie was nine. The names of the siblings were changed multiple times: initially, their parents named Deng Xiansheng according to the generational style, then Deng Xiansheng changed his name to "Xixian," and finally, he was renamed "Xiaoping."

Throughout her life, Deng Xianlie contributed to her family and lived in Chongqing during her later years until her passing. Her life did not involve political activities or other public affairs, and she mainly spent her time as a homemaker.