8. Madame Cheng Ching Shih
Born in 1775 she had control of 1500 naval ships and 180k pirates. Started off as Cantonese prostitute who influenced men. She married a pirate Cheng I. There were codes Cheng I Sao’s fleet lived by such as not being allowed to rape female captives, a crime punishable by death. She was given pardon by Qing Emperor Jiaqing. She went to back to being mistress of local brothels and she died in 1844 in her sleep.
