Following Mao's death in 1976, Wang was arrested and charged with "counterrevolutionary activity," then sentenced to life imprisonment in 1981.
Setelah kematian Mao pada tahun 1976, Wang Hongwen ditangkap dan didakwa dengan "kegiatan kontra-revolusioner," kemudian dijatuhi hukuman penjara seumur hidup pada tahun 1981.