He was worshipped as a god. His personal doctor of 22 years saw the man behind the myth. This is what he revealed.
Imagine the world's most powerful man. Now imagine you're his doctor. You see everything. You know everything. And then you decide to tell the world.
In an era of curated images and personality cults, this is a masterclass in separating the profile from the person. It’s about the terrifying reality behind the ultimate influencer.
The story comes from a forbidden book: 'The Private Life of Chairman Mao'. Its author, Dr. Li Zhisui, was Mao's personal physician. He was there for every secret.
The public image was of a revolutionary hero. A simple, wise leader who united China. A semi-divine father of the nation.
Dr. Li paints a different picture. A man of crude habits, deep-seated paranoia, and an almost medieval court life, hidden from his people.
Get ready. Mao never brushed his teeth. His teeth were green with a layer of film. He believed rinsing his mouth with tea was superior.
He also refused to bathe, believing it drained his 'qi' or life force. Instead, attendants scrubbed him down with hot towels.
Mao lived in total isolation. He had a private train, dozens of secret villas, and a personal food taster for every meal.
His inner circle was a snake pit of flattery and fear. Dr. Li describes a court where everyone, including Mao's wife, spied on each other.
National policy was often decided by Mao's moods. A casual comment could launch a political purge or a disastrous economic plan.
Dr. Li gives a chilling account of Mao's indifference during the Great Leap Forward. As tens of millions starved, the Chairman's feasts continued uninterrupted.
The book's most controversial revelations are about Mao's personal life. Specifically, his relationship with women.
Dr. Li alleges a constant stream of young, beautiful women were recruited from across China to be his 'dance partners'.
This wasn't romance; it was a display of absolute power. He viewed himself as a modern emperor, above all rules and morality.
And what of Dr. Li himself? He lived a life of immense privilege, but he was a prisoner.
He had access, luxury, and proximity to power. But he had zero freedom. One wrong move, one misplaced word, could mean death for his entire family.
His book isn't just an exposé of Mao. It's a raw confession of the moral compromises he had to make to survive in that toxic world.
It reveals how easily a single person's story can be rewritten by the state, and how one voice can challenge an entire nation's official memory.
It’s a powerful reminder to always question the narratives fed to us, especially about those who hold immense power.
Because when you strip away the propaganda, the flags, and the anthems, you are left with a human. Sometimes, a deeply flawed one.