Chai Caihua

Chai Caihua (1893–1929), a native of Xichuan, Nanyang, Henan Province, was the mother of Xi Zhongxun, one of the “Eight Immortals” of the Chinese Communist Party. In 1911, she married Xi Zhongde in Dou Village, Dan Township, Fuping County, Shaanxi, and they had seven children: eldest son Xi Zhongxun, eldest daughter Qiuying, second son (nicknamed Dao’er, who died in infancy), second daughter Dongying, third son Zhongkai, third daughter Xiaying, and youngest daughter Yanying.

Born into a humble farming family, Chai Caihua was diligent and resilient, managing household affairs, raising her children, and facing constant hardships. In 1928, her husband Xi Zhongde died from illness caused by overwork at the age of 43, leaving her to bear the burden of the entire family alone. Overwhelmed by grief and heavy responsibilities, her old illness relapsed and she developed tuberculosis. In 1929, Chai Caihua passed away at the young age of 36.