A coup!
Who staged a coup against the eight Regent Ministers that her just-deceased Emperor husband had installed to guide their 5-year-old son and heir? She subsequently ruled China for nearly 50 years.
She is also -- this is true! -- my fifth cousin twice removed's wife's mother's husband's first cousin once removed's husband's great uncle's ex-wife's brother's wife's second great aunt. Thanks, Geni!
Empress Dowager Cixi