Yi was considered a pretender to the throne[2][3] until her death at the age of 100 in her house in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province.

[4] Yi Haewon was born in Sadong Palace, which was an official residence of her family in Keijō, as the second daughter of Prince Imperial Ui, fifth son of Emperor Gojong of Korea, and one of his concubines, Lady Yi of Sudeok Hall.

After she graduated from Kyunggi Girls' High School in 1937, she married Yi Seunggyu, who was kidnapped and compulsorily taken to North Korea during the Korean War.

[7] Contesting her nephew's claim and appointment to the throne, Yi Haewŏn announced the restoration of the Empire.

[6] A private coronation ceremony was held on 29 September 2006, during which Yi Haewŏn was bestowed the title, the "Empress of Korea".