Popular writer Chiung Yao passes away at 86
Renowned Taiwan writer Chiung Yao passed away at her home in New Taipei City on Wednesday. She was 86.
Her son said that when paramedics arrived at the scene around 1:22pm, they confirmed that Chiung Yao had no pulse.
"My mother left a suicide note. At noon, her secretary found her in her room and immediately called for help," he told local media.
Authorities have ruled out foul play, with the cause of death appearing to be suicide.
Subtitles by Zhu Qing.
In a video, Chiung says: "Dear ones, be brave, live true to yourself, and don't waste this life! Though imperfect, the world offers unexpected joys, sorrows, and emotions – don't miss your chance for brilliance. I wish you health, happiness, and a carefree life!"
'When snowflakes fall'
In her final words, Chiung expressed her desire to take control of her death. "Death is the inevitable end of life, the final great event. I do not want to resign myself to fate, nor do I want to wither away slowly. I wish to take control of this final event."
A farewell video captured her thoughts: "I am 'the spark,' I've burned brightly, and now, as the flame fades, I choose to depart this way.
"Everything I want to say is recorded in my video, 'When snowflakes fall' (当雪花飘落). I hope my friends will watch the video several times to understand everything I want to express."
Chiung's final years were marked by personal loss. Her husband, Ping Xintao, with whom she shared a decades-long marriage, passed away in 2019.
Just a week before her death, on November 27, Chiung mourned her late husband, saying: "It's better to leave. So many past memories are difficult to recall … It's better to leave, it's better to leave, ah, it's better to leave."
A photograph of Chiung Yao as a young woman.
Debut work published in Shanghai
Chiung, born Chen Zhe on April 20, 1938, in Chengdu, Sichuan, relocated to Taiwan with her parents in 1949.
She was best known for her romantic novels, including "My Fair Princess" (还珠格格), "Fantasies Behind the Pearly Curtain" (一帘幽梦), and "Misty Rain" (烟雨濛濛), which earned her a lasting place in the hearts of audiences on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Chiung Yao's first published work was "The Poor Little Qing" (可怜的小青), which appeared in the "Ta Kung Pao" in Shanghai on December 6, 1947.
At that time, her father was teaching history at Tongji University in Shanghai.
In 1963, she rose to fame with the publication of the novel "Outside the Window," and went on to publish a series of hit novels such as "Six Dreams," (六个梦) and "The Unforgettable Character" (在水一方) solidifying her position as the "Queen of Romance" in the Chinese-speaking world.
Her stories often explored the theme of undying love, with protagonists overcoming family conflict, war, and societal prejudice in pursuit of their romantic ideals.
Chiung's novels portrayed love as an absolute force, transcending time and circumstance.
Chiung Yao's "My Fair Princess" (还珠格格).
"Fantasies Behind the Pearly Curtain" (一帘幽梦).
In addition to her success as a novelist, Chiung Yao was a pioneering producer in Taiwan's entertainment industry.
Her productions, including "Green Green Grass by the River" (青青河边草) and "My Fair Princess" (还珠格格), were major hits, leading to a string of iconic TV dramas and propelling the careers of actresses known as "Chiung Yao girls," such as Brigitte Lin, Leanne Liu, and Ruby Lin.
She once proudly said: "This is such a beautiful river of life. I have collected their beauty and preserved their youth."
Celebrities who collaborated with her, including Ruby Lin, Huang Yi, Alec Su, and Julian Chen, expressed their condolences following the writer's death.
Chiung Yao (left) and her husband Ping Xintao.
