Chiung Yao, renowned as the world’s most celebrated Chinese-language romance novelist, has passed away at the age of 86 in what appears to be a suicide.
Her body was discovered on Wednesday in her home in New Taipei City, Taiwan, with emergency services confirming the tragic news, as reported by Taiwan’s Central News Agency.
Born Chen Che in Sichuan, China, in 1938, Chiung Yao adopted her pen name early in her career, which began at the age of 18.
Over the decades, she published more than 60 novels, many of which were adapted into blockbuster films and iconic TV dramas.
Among her most famous works is the beloved TV series My Fair Princess, which became a cultural phenomenon and launched the careers of prominent stars, including Ruby Lin, Zhao Wei, and Fan Bingbing.
Chiung Yao’s influence extended beyond literature as she also made her mark as a screenwriter and producer.
Her stories of love and resilience captivated audiences for generations, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in Chinese storytelling.
A poignant message posted on her Facebook account before her death read, “Goodbye, my loved ones. I feel lucky that I have met and known you in this life.”
She encouraged young people not to give up on life prematurely and to embrace death only after living a long life.
She asked her followers not to grieve for her.
Chiung Yao’s personal life often mirrored the drama of her novels.
Her debut work, Outside the Window, was inspired by her own forbidden romance with her high school teacher.
This novel, like much of her writing, resonated deeply with readers, especially for its honest portrayal of love and loss.
Born during the turmoil of the Sino-Japanese War, Chiung Yao spent her childhood moving across China before her family relocated to Taiwan in 1949 following the Chinese Communist Party’s rise to power.
Her life’s journey shaped her narrative voice, blending themes of displacement, passion, and resilience.
Though she had stepped back from public life in recent years, Chiung Yao made headlines in 2017 for a public dispute with her stepchildren over the care of her ailing husband.
Her monumental TV drama, My Fair Princess, set in the 18th-century Qing Dynasty, remains a hallmark of Chinese entertainment.
It propelled Ruby Lin to stardom and elevated Fan Bingbing and Zhao Wei into household names.
While Lin continues to thrive in Taiwan’s entertainment industry, Zhao Wei has largely retreated from the public eye in recent years.
Chiung Yao’s passing marks the end of an era in Chinese-language literature and entertainment, but her stories will endure, continuing to inspire and touch the hearts of millions.
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