Shangguan Yunzhu was said to have had an intimate relationship with Chairman Mao Zedong.[3][7][8] On 10 January 1956, Shangguan and Mao had a private meeting set up by Shanghai mayor Chen Yi,[6][7] at which Mao said he was a fan of hers.[7] Mao was said to have requested to meet her "in private" many times.[8]