Crossword Genius

She ruled the media after me, sadly (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

empress

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'she ruled' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'media after me sadly' is the wordplay.
'media' becomes 'press' (the press is part of the media).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'sadly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'me' is an anagram of 'em'.
'press' put after 'em' is 'EMPRESS'.

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for empress that I've seen before include "She rules over vast territories" , "one married to ruler?" , "Powerful woman" , "Female sovereign" , "In Victoria, say" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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