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Chiung Yao known for romance works

The Straits Times

|

December 06, 2024

Famed Taiwanese romance novelist Chiung Yao (right) has died in a suspected suicide on Dec 4. She was 86.

- Jan Lee

Chiung Yao known for romance works

According to the local police and fire department, she was found dead at her residence in New Taipei City. Her 63-year-old son from her first marriage reportedly told Taiwanese media that she left a farewell note.

The best-selling writer of popular romance fiction and screenwriter of the hit Chinese drama My Fair Princess (1998 to 2003), which remains a staple of Chinese television via reruns to this day, also left what appears to be a suicide note that was uploaded to Facebook by her secretary.

The 950-word note, structured in stanzas similar to a modern Chinese poem, is dated Dec 3. It came with a pre-recorded video of her dressed in red, with roses in the background.

Chiung Yao was born as Chen Zhe in Chengdu, China, in 1938 and moved to Taiwan with her parents in 1949.

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