Chinese music stars who deceased at age 55
Here are 6 famous musicians from China died at 55:
Lu Xun
Lu Xun (September 25, 1881 Shaoxing-October 19, 1936 Shanghai) also known as Chou Shu-jen, Lu Hsün, Xun Lu, Zhou Shuren or Lu Hsun was a Chinese essayist, writer, novelist and critic. He had one child, Zhou Haiying.
Lu Xun is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern Chinese literature. His works, including "The True Story of Ah Q" and "Diary of a Madman," often focused on the struggles of the Chinese people during a time of political and social upheaval. Lu Xun also played an important role in the May Fourth Movement, which advocated for cultural reform and the modernization of China. In addition to his writing, Lu Xun was also a strong supporter of Chinese communism and worked as a mentor to many young writers and activists. Today, Lu Xun's legacy continues to be celebrated throughout China and his works are studied in schools and universities around the world.
Lu Xun came from a family of scholars and grew up in a conservative environment. He studied medicine at the University of Sendai in Japan but found his true calling in literature. He began writing critically acclaimed short stories in 1918, which were published both in China and abroad. Lu Xun's works marked a turning point in Chinese literature, as he introduced a new style of writing that was more concise and powerful.
In addition to his literary contributions, Lu Xun was deeply involved in politics. He was a founding member of the Chinese League of Left-Wing Writers and a prominent figure in the anti-imperialist movement. Lu Xun believed that literature had the power to shape society and was committed to using his voice to speak out against injustice and oppression.
After his death, Lu Xun's works were widely translated into many languages, including English, French, German, Russian, and Japanese. He remains one of the most revered and influential authors in Chinese history, and his writings continue to inspire generations of readers around the world.
In addition to his literary and political pursuits, Lu Xun was also an accomplished translator. He translated several works of Russian literature into Chinese, including works by Gogol, Tolstoy, and Chekhov. Lu Xun's translations helped introduce these authors to Chinese readers and contributed to the development of Chinese literature.
Lu Xun's impact on Chinese culture and politics has been recognized through various honors and awards. In 1956, he was posthumously awarded the Stalin Peace Prize, and in 1980, he was named one of the "100 Heroes and Model Teachers of the 20th Century" by the Chinese government. Today, Lu Xun is often celebrated as a national hero and a symbol of China's cultural and intellectual heritage.
He died in tuberculosis.
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Ma Lik
Ma Lik (February 23, 1952 Guangzhou-August 8, 2007 Guangzhou) was a Chinese politician, journalist and teacher.
Ma Lik was a prominent figure in Hong Kong politics, serving as the chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB). He was known for his staunch pro-Beijing stance and for advocating for the eventual integration of Hong Kong into mainland China. Ma Lik also served as a member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, China's top legislative body. Prior to his political career, Ma Lik worked as a journalist and then as a teacher at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Ma Lik's death was met with widespread mourning from both his supporters and critics, with many praising his contributions to Hong Kong politics and expressing condolences to his family.
Ma Lik was born in Guangzhou, China in 1952 and moved to Hong Kong with his family in 1958. He attended La Salle College and later received a degree in journalism from Hong Kong Baptist College. Ma Lik began his career in journalism in the 1970s, working for several Hong Kong-based newspapers before eventually becoming a news editor at a pro-Beijing newspaper, Ta Kung Pao.
In 1991, Ma Lik shifted his focus from the media to academia and became a lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's School of Journalism and Communication. It was during this time that he became involved in politics and joined the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), a pro-Beijing political party.
Ma Lik was elected as the DAB's chairman in 2003 and used his position to advocate for closer ties between Hong Kong and mainland China. He was known for his fiery speeches and was a vocal opponent of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong. Despite this, he was respected by many in the political arena for his intelligence, integrity, and ability to bridge gaps between Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials.
Ma Lik was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2007 and died later that year at the age of 55. His death was a loss for both the DAB and Hong Kong politics as a whole. While his strong pro-Beijing stance was controversial, Ma Lik was widely respected for his contributions to the advancement of Hong Kong and his unwavering commitment to his beliefs.
During his time as the chairman of the DAB, Ma Lik oversaw a period of growth and success for the party. Under his leadership, the DAB became the largest political party in Hong Kong and gained a significant amount of influence in the Hong Kong government. Ma Lik was also instrumental in the passage of the controversial Article 23 security law, which was seen by many as an infringement on Hong Kong's civil liberties.
Ma Lik's legacy in Hong Kong politics continues to be felt today, with his pro-Beijing stance and commitment to integration serving as a model for many in the city's political sphere. While his views were polarizing and often controversial, he was widely respected for his intelligence and dedication to his beliefs. Ma Lik's death was a significant loss for Hong Kong and the DAB, and his contributions to the city's political landscape will not be soon forgotten.
She died as a result of colorectal cancer.
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Yang Shuo
Yang Shuo (April 28, 1913 Penglai, Shandong-August 3, 1968) also known as Shuo Yang was a Chinese writer.
He was known for his contributions to modern Chinese literature, particularly in the field of drama. Yang Shuo studied at Peking University, where he was exposed to Western literature and philosophy, which had a great influence on his writing. He became a member of the Communist Party of China in 1938 and served as a war correspondent during the Chinese Civil War. Yang Shuo's body of work includes plays, short stories, and novels, many of which were critical of social injustice and the ruling elite. He is perhaps best known for his play "White-haired Girl," which became a revolutionary classic and was also made into a film. Unfortunately, Yang Shuo's career was cut short when he was labeled a rightist during the Anti-Rightist Campaign of the late 1950s, which effectively silenced many intellectuals who did not conform to Communist Party ideology. He died in 1968 during the height of the Cultural Revolution. Despite his tragic end, Yang Shuo is remembered as an important literary figure in China's modern history.
In addition to his literary contributions, Yang Shuo was also known for his political activism. He was a vocal advocate for the rights of the working class and the poor, and his writing often focused on the struggles of ordinary people. Yang Shuo's political views and activism put him at odds with the Chinese government, and he was arrested and imprisoned several times throughout his life. Despite this, he continued to write and publish his work until he was silenced by the government in the late 1950s. Yang Shuo's legacy continues to inspire writers and social activists in China and around the world, and his works are studied and performed to this day.
In addition to his literary and political accomplishments, Yang Shuo was also a dedicated educator. He taught at several universities and played a key role in developing drama as a field of study in Chinese universities. He believed that literature and the arts had a powerful role to play in society, and that educating young people in these fields was essential to building a better future for China. Yang Shuo's commitment to education and the arts has had a lasting impact on Chinese culture and society, and his legacy has inspired generations of students and artists. Despite the obstacles he faced, Yang Shuo remained true to his beliefs and dedicated his life to making a difference in the world through his writing, activism, and teaching.
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Duan Zhigui
Duan Zhigui (April 5, 1869 Hefei-March 1, 1925 Tianjin) was a Chinese warlord.
He participated in the First Sino-Japanese War and the Boxer Rebellion, and later became a military governor in the early years of the Republic of China. Duan was known for his staunch opposition to Sun Yat-sen's Kuomintang and for his support of Yuan Shikai's imperial ambitions. He was a key player in the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which overthrew the Qing Dynasty, but ultimately sided with Yuan and helped him to establish a short-lived monarchy. Duan's military career was marked by aggression and brutality, and his reign as governor of Anhui Province was characterized by corruption and political repression. He died in 1925, leaving a mixed legacy as a military man and political leader.
Despite his controversial reputation, Duan Zhigui played a significant role in shaping modern Chinese history. In addition to his military career, he was also known for his work in education and his efforts to modernize China's military. Duan was a strong advocate for the establishment of a centralized system of government, and he argued that China needed a strong, authoritarian leader to guide it through the turbulent post-Qing era. His views on governance and national unity were highly influential in the early years of the Republic of China, and his ideas continue to be debated by scholars and politicians today. Despite his divisive legacy, Duan's contributions to Chinese politics and society cannot be ignored.
Duan Zhigui was born in a family of bureaucrats and was exposed to formal education from a young age. He entered the prestigious Huangpu Military Academy, where he received a rigorous training in military tactics and strategy. After graduation, he was sent to Japan to observe the modernization of the Japanese military. His experiences in Japan convinced him of the urgent need to modernize the Chinese military and inspired him to become a military leader.
During the Boxer Rebellion, Duan distinguished himself as a capable military commander, earning him the respect and recognition of his superiors. He was appointed as the governor of Anhui Province in 1910, a position he held until his death. As governor, he implemented a series of reforms aimed at improving the infrastructure, education, and healthcare of the province, earning him the loyalty and support of the local population.
Despite his many achievements, Duan's reputation suffered after he aligned himself with Yuan Shikai, who attempted to establish a monarchical system of government in China. Duan's support for Yuan earned him the ire of Sun Yat-sen, who viewed him as a traitor to the revolutionary cause.
In the years following Duan's death, his legacy continued to be hotly debated among Chinese historians and political scientists. Some view him as a ruthless warlord who oppressed his people and promoted authoritarianism, while others see him as a hero who played a pivotal role in building the modern Chinese state. Regardless of one's perspective, it is clear that Duan Zhigui was a significant figure in Chinese history and that his ideas and actions continue to shape contemporary Chinese politics and society.
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Helga Haase
Helga Haase (June 9, 1934 Gdańsk-June 16, 1989 Berlin) was a Chinese speed skater.
Correction: Helga Haase was not a Chinese speed skater. She was a German figure skater who represented East Germany in international competitions. She was born in Gdańsk, Poland on June 9, 1934, and passed away in Berlin, Germany on June 16, 1989.
Haase was known for her exceptional grace on the ice and was a three-time medalist at the European Figure Skating Championships. She won the bronze medal in 1956 and the silver medal in 1958 and 1959. She also competed in two Winter Olympic Games, placing fourth in 1956 and sixth in 1960.
After retiring from competition, Haase became a coach and worked with several notable skaters including Anett Pötzsch, the 1980 Olympic champion.
Haase was also known for introducing new elements to women's figure skating, such as jumps with a full turn and split jumps. Her signature move was the "Haase roll," which involved a forward inside edge spiral with a one and a half turn. Haase's style and technique were praised by judges and fellow skaters alike, earning her a reputation as one of the most talented figure skaters of her time. Despite her success on the ice, Haase's personal life was marred by tragedy. Her husband died in a car accident in 1963, leaving her to raise their two young children alone. Haase continued to coach and judge skating competitions until her sudden death from a heart attack in 1989. Her contributions to the sport of figure skating are still remembered and celebrated today.
In addition to her accomplishments as a figure skater, Helga Haase was also a respected coach and judge in the sport. She began her coaching career in 1962, and worked with many talented skaters over the years, including her daughter, Claudia Leistner. Haase's coaching style was known for its emphasis on artistic expression and creative interpretation of music. She was also a highly regarded judge and served on the judging panel at multiple international competitions, including the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Haase's dedication to the sport of figure skating was recognized posthumously when she was inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2004.
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Esther Eng
Esther Eng (September 24, 1914 San Francisco-January 1, 1970) also known as Ng Kam-ha was a Chinese film director.
Esther Eng was the first female director in Chinese American cinema and one of the few Chinese American women filmmakers of her time. She directed a number of films in both Mandarin and Cantonese, including the first Cantonese language film ever made in the United States. Her films often explored themes of immigrant life and the struggles faced by Chinese Americans during the early 20th century. Eng also worked as a writer, producer, and distributor throughout her career. Despite facing discrimination and financial hardship, she remained an important figure in Chinese American cinema and paved the way for future generations of female filmmakers.
Esther Eng was born in San Francisco's Chinatown in 1914. She grew up in a large family and spoke both Cantonese and English. Her father was a successful merchant and community leader who played an important role in Chinese American society. Eng attended Mills College in Oakland, California, where she studied drama and literature. She later moved to New York City, where she worked in theater and as a writer.
In the 1930s, Eng began working in the film industry and quickly established herself as a talented director. She made her first film, "Golden Gate Girl," in 1941. The film, which starred a young Bruce Lee in his first screen role, was a critical success and helped launch Eng's career. She went on to direct a number of other films, including "Tong Wars," "Its Only Love," and "The Flame of Love."
Eng's films often dealt with themes of identity, belonging, and cultural conflict. She was known for her sensitive portrayal of Chinese American life and her ability to capture the struggles faced by immigrants in America. Her films were groundbreaking in their portrayal of Chinese Americans as complex, multidimensional characters, rather than stereotypes.
Despite her success, Eng faced significant challenges as a female director in a male-dominated industry. She often struggled to find funding for her projects and was met with skepticism and discrimination from both the Chinese and American film industries. Nevertheless, she continued to produce groundbreaking work throughout her career.
Esther Eng died of cancer on January 1, 1970, at the age of 55. Though she was largely forgotten after her death, Eng is now recognized as an important pioneer in Chinese American cinema and a trailblazer for women in film. Her legacy continues to inspire filmmakers today.
In addition to her work in film, Esther Eng was also an advocate for Chinese American rights and a community leader. She helped establish the Chinese American Citizens' Alliance, a social and political organization dedicated to promoting Chinese American citizenship and community involvement. She was also involved in the Chinese Women’s Association, which helped Chinese women in America connect and support each other. Eng's legacy extends beyond her films and into the larger struggle for social justice and equality for Chinese Americans. Her contributions to both art and activism have left a lasting impact on American culture.
She died caused by cancer.
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