[link|http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/24/international/asia/24CHIANG.html?pagewanted=all&position=|The New York Times Obit], all five pages, posted five seconds after the death announcement.

\r\n

Madame Chiang Kai-shek, a pivotal player in one of the 20th century's great epics - the struggle for control of post-imperial China waged between the Nationalists and the Communists during the Japanese invasion and the violent aftermath of World War II - died on Thursday in New York City, the Foreign Ministry of Taiwan reported early Friday. She was 105 years old.

\r\n\r\n

Madame Chiang, a dazzling and imperious politician, wielded immense influence in Nationalist China, but she and her husband were eventually forced by the Communist victory into exile in Taiwan, where she presided as the grand dame of Nationalist politics for many years. After Chiang Kai-shek died in 1975, Madame Chiang retreated to New York City, where she lived out her last quarter-century.

\r\n\r\n

Madame Chiang was the most famous member of one of modern China's most remarkable families, the Soongs, who dominated Chinese politics and finance in the first half of the century. Yet in China it was her American background and lifestyle that distinguished Soong Mei-ling, her maiden name (which is sometimes spelled May-ling).

\r\n\r\n

For many Americans, Madame Chiang's finest moment came in 1943, when she barnstormed the United States in search of support for the Nationalist cause against Japan, winning donations from countless Americans who were mesmerized by her passion, determination and striking good looks. Her address to a joint meeting of Congress electrified Washington, winning billions of dollars in aid.

\r\n\r\n

...

\r\n

[link|http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/east/10/24/obit.madame.chiang.ap/|CNN gives us] this input lest we jump to conclusions.

\r\nThe cause of death was not immediately available, according to Taiwan's Foreign Ministry spokesman Richard Shih. \r\n