Hö'elün

Hö'elün, born in the year one thousand one hundred forty-two, was a remarkable noblewoman of the Mongol Empire, renowned for her pivotal role as the mother of Temüjin, who would later be known as Genghis Khan. Her life story is intricately woven into the fabric of Mongolian history, particularly as chronicled in the Secret History of the Mongols.

Originally hailing from the Olkhonud clan of the Onggirat tribe, Hö'elün's early life took a dramatic turn when she was married to Chiledu, a Merkit aristocrat. Shortly after their wedding, she was abducted by Yesügei, a prominent figure among the Mongols, who made her his primary wife. Together, they had five children: Temüjin, Qasar, Hachiun, Temüge, and Temülen. Following Yesügei's untimely death from poisoning, Hö'elün faced the daunting challenge of raising her children in the face of poverty, demonstrating remarkable resilience and organizational skills.

As Temüjin rose to power, Hö'elün continued to play a significant role in his life, especially after his marriage to Börte. The two women collaborated to manage Temüjin's camp and provided him with invaluable advice. In gratitude for the support he offered after a significant defeat in the year one thousand one hundred eighty-seven, Hö'elün married Münglig, an old retainer of Yesügei. In this new chapter of her life, she took on the responsibility of arranging marriages and maintaining alliances, stepping into the role once held by her late husband.

Despite her contributions, Hö'elün likely felt underappreciated when Temüjin was declared Genghis Khan in the year one thousand two hundred six. Her involvement in the disputes between Genghis, his brothers, and Münglig's sons may have taken a toll on her health, leading to her death shortly thereafter, the exact date of which remains unknown.