Forgotten first lady served as model traditional wife

With health problems worsening, Vahaleva became withdrawn and shut herself away in her empty Chihei residence in Taipei's suburban Taichih district.

Vahaleva's only daughter, Hsiao-chang (孝章), and her grandchildren reside in the US. According to some of Chiang Ching-kuo's former subordinates who paid her a visit last month, Vahaleva seemed in good spirits and was looking forward to seeing her great grandchildren in the summer.

In her own resilient and low-profile way, Vahaleva has served as a unique model for the women of the Chiang family -- to stand quietly and firmly by their husbands and sacrifice themselves for the family's sake -- just like what traditional Chinese society expects of a wife and a mother.