Born: 5 March 1898 · Died: 8 January 1976 · Age at death: 77
How old was Zhou Enlai when he died?
Zhou Enlai died aged 77. He was born on 5 March 1898 and died on 8 January 1976.
First Premier of the People's Republic of China and master diplomat
Did you know?He spent several years living and studying in Europe during his youth and was fluent in several languages.
Quick facts
Date of birth5 March 1898
Date of death8 January 1976
Age at death77
Cause of deathBladder cancer
NationalityChinese
BirthplaceHuai'an, China
Occupationminister, foreign minister, politician
Editor's Take:
Zhou Enlai was the diplomat and administrator who kept Mao's China running. Foreign leaders found him charming and subtle. He was crucial in opening China to the United States. At home he survived every political storm by staying loyal to Mao, even during the Cultural Revolution. Some praise him for protecting people and others say he enabled abuses. His death in 1976 led to an outpouring of public grief. That grief also expressed anger at the Gang of Four. He remains respected in China today.
Key Milestones
1920: Goes to France on a work-study programme
1935: Survives the Long March
1949: Becomes Premier
1972: Hosts Richard Nixon
Zhou Enlai (Chinese: 周恩来; pinyin: Zhōu Ēnlái; Wade–Giles: Chou1 Ên1-lai2; 5 March 1898 – 8 January 1976) was a Chinese statesman, diplomat, and revolutionary who served as the first Premier of the People's Republic of China from October 1949 until his death in January 1976.
Zhou Enlai's birthday is March 5. He was born on March 5, 1898 in Huai'an, China.
How old was Zhou Enlai when he died?
Zhou Enlai died on January 8, 1976, aged 77.
Who shares a birthday with Zhou Enlai?
Famous people who share Zhou Enlai's March 5 birthday include Rosa Luxemburg, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Aleksandar Vučić, Henry II of England and Daniel Kahneman.
