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The Only King in History With 103 Wives but No Heir

Emperor Tu Duc, renowned for his extravagant harem, stands out in the annals of Vietnamese history. With a multitude of concubines and wives, his reign showcases a unique aspect of royal life in Vietnam's dynastic past.

Administrator

24 August, 2024

Emperor Tu Duc (1829–1883), born Nguyen Phuc Hong Nhahm, was the fourth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, reigning from 1847 to 1883. He is one of the most prominent figures in Vietnamese history, known not only for his policies and progressive ideas but also for having the most wives and concubines in the history of Vietnam.

Emperor Tu Duc was renowned for his love of learning, intelligence, and passion for literature. He left behind a wealth of poetry and prose, which hold significant value in Vietnam’s classical literature. However, his health was frail, and he suffered from various ailments, including smallpox in his youth, which affected his fertility.

Historical records indicate that Emperor Tu Duc had 103 wives, yet he had no children of his own. His frail health and childhood illnesses rendered him unable to father children, leading to the adoption of heirs from other royal family members to secure the succession of the throne. While he had numerous wives, his official empress was Le Thien Anh Hoang Hau (Phan Thi Dieu), and among his concubines, only a few held a special place in his affections, such as Ho Thi Van, also known as Hoc Phi.

Emperor Tu Duc was a loving and respectful husband to his wives. He devoted significant time to ensuring their well-being, and many of them were bestowed with prestigious titles and honors by him. The lack of offspring led the emperor to adopt heirs from other royal family members to ensure a smooth succession. This decision, however, resulted in power struggles and disputes among the royal family and various factions within the court after his death.

Emperor Tu Duc’s reign ended in 1883, leaving behind a weakened court and political instability. Despite his cultural and artistic contributions, the court’s fragility and the absence of a direct heir created opportunities for deeper French colonial intervention in Vietnam.

Emperor Tu Duc remains a significant and influential figure in the history of the Nguyen Dynasty. While known for his numerous wives, the lack of offspring had unfortunate consequences for the stability of the dynasty and the country. His legacy, including architectural and literary works, is still celebrated today, but the challenges he faced also serve as important lessons in Vietnam’s feudal history.

Frequently asked questions

King Mongkut of Siam, also known as Rama IV, was the only king in history known to have had 103 wives, yet he died without leaving an heir to the throne.

King Mongkut’s large number of wives can be attributed to his adherence to a traditional practice in Siam where royalty and nobility often had multiple wives and concubines. This practice was believed to enhance their social status and power.

Yes, despite not having an heir to the throne, King Mongkut fathered 82 children with his wives.

The lack of an heir was likely due to a combination of factors, including the high mortality rate among children at that time, the king’s own health issues, and the political dynamics within the royal harem.

The absence of a clear heir to the throne led to a power struggle among King Mongkut’s sons and half-brothers after his death, ultimately resulting in the selection of his son, Chulalongkorn, as the next king.