Empress Taimu (Chinese: 太穆皇后; 562?–606?) was posthumously honored the first empress of the Chinese Tang dynasty. She was known as Duchess Dou or Lady Dou (竇氏) throughout her lifetime, and was the wife of Emperor Gaozu and mother of Emperor Taizong.
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Background
Lady Dou was the daughter of Dou Yi (519 – 3 January 583) and Princess Xiangyang. Dou Yi was the son of Dou Yue (窦岳), an elder brother of Dou Chi (竇熾), a high-level official of both the Northern Zhou and successive Sui dynasties. Dou Chi also had a son named Dou Wei, a scribe for Yang Xiu, the Prince of Shu, who later served as chancellor during the early years of the Tang dynasty. Her mother Princess Xiangyang was the fifth daughter of Yuwen Tai, Emperor Wen of Northern Zhou, and a sister of Empress Yuwen. Lady Dou also had an elder brother, Dou Xian (竇贤), and at least one other elder cousin (Dou Kang).
As a young child, Lady Dou was raised in the palace and particularly favored by her uncle Yuwen Yong (Emperor Wu). She once recommended Yuwen Yong to establish a relationship between Northern Zhou and Tujue through the Heqin system. As a result, Yuwen Yong married Empress Ashina, the daughter of Muqan Qaghan on 20 April 568. Yuwen Yong didn't favor Empress Ashina at first, but agreed after Lady Dou and her father reminded him of Tujue's power and that he still had to face the rivaling neighbor kingdoms Northern Qi and Chen dynasty.