Cheng Sao, also known as Ching Shih, was the wife of a very successful pirate captain named Cheng Chih-Lung 1. When he died she took over and ruled the fleets. She was very powerful, and well-known for her cruelty on the seas. Her fleet was one of the largest in history, as she commanded over 70, 000 pirates!

She was eventually pardoned by the Chinese Government and retired a very rich lady!

references-
Pirates by Philip Steele
The Pirate's Handbook by Margarette Lincoln
Pirates by Will Osborne and Mary Pope Osborne