Lu Muzhen was born on 30 July 1867 into a wealthy family in Waibo Village, Xiangshan County, Guangdong, China.

Raised as a traditional Chinese woman, Lu Muzhen had bound feet, excelled in needlework, and upheld strong filial piety.

[1]: 5  Initially, Sun was displeased with the arrangement but changed his view in 1888 when Lu devotedly cared for his gravely ill father.

[2] During Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary pursuits, Lu Muzhen remained in China to care for their parents and children.

[3] In November 1895, after the Guangzhou Uprising plot was uncovered by the Qing government,[4] Sun's family faced political persecution.

When Sun Mei declared bankruptcy due to his financial support for the revolution, the family relocated to Ngau Chi Wan in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

[7] Lu Muzhen travelled from Penang to Shanghai and Nanjing, hoping to reunite with Sun Yat-sen. She was warmly received during her journey and honoured as the "Mother of the Nation."

[10][11] However, Lu agreed and remarked,[11][10] My husband has been constantly travelling both at home and abroad for the revolution, living a life of uncertainty.