Duanhua was born in the ManchuAisin Gioro clan as the third son of Ulgungga (烏爾恭阿), a descendant of Jirgalang, a nephew of Nurhaci (the founder of the Qing dynasty). He descended from the Prince Zheng line, one of the "iron-cap" princely peerages of the Qing dynasty. In 1846, he inherited the title "Prince Zheng of the First Rank" from his father. His family was under the Bordered Blue Banner of the Eight Banners.
Duanhua rose to prominence during the reign of the Xianfeng Emperor. Because of a scandal involving Grand Councilor Mujangga, Duanhua gained the Xianfeng Emperor's trust as a loyal confidant, and became one of the emperor's closest advisors. Duanhua also recommended his brother, Sushun, to serve in the Qing imperial court. During the Second Opium War, Duanhua accompanied the ailing Xianfeng Emperor to Rehe to escape from the foreign invaders.
In 1861, before the Xianfeng Emperor died, he appointed eight regents to assist his successor, the young Tongzhi Emperor, in administrating state affairs. Duanhua and Sushun were among the eight. Later that year, Duanhua and the other seven regents were ousted from power in the Xinyou Coup (辛酉政變) orchestrated by Prince Gong and Empress Dowager Cixi. Duanhua was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually forced to commit suicide.
Family
Father: Ulgungga (乌尔恭阿; 1778–1846)
Paternal grandfather: Zhihana (枳哈纳), a great-great-great-grandson of Jirgalang
Paternal grandmother:Lady Zheng, a mistress
Mother: Lady Hugiya (瑚佳氏), Ulgungga's secondary consort
Primary consort, of the Niohuru clan, daughter of Fukejing'a (福克京阿), former Minister of Xining Handling Affairs (西宁办事处大臣, also known as the Xining Amban)
Lady
Married Chongqi of the Alute clan and had issue (1 daughter and 1 son)
Secondary consort, of the Chen clan (陈佳氏), daughter of Sele, a defender general (护军 色勒)
Secondary consort, of the Gaogiya clan, daughter of defender general Gaofu (高福 护军)
Secondary consort, of the Baigiya clan, daughter of defender general Jiaohexing (校和兴 护军)
