When Hong Kong lost Cantopop superstar Anita Mui
Mui, an award-winning singer and actress who had dominated the city’s show business scene, announced her cancer diagnosis to a shocked world in September 2003
“Cantopop star Anita Mui Yim-fong has called a press conference today amid reports about her health,” reported the South China Morning Post on September 5th, 2003. “Mui, who yesterday failed to turn up at an event in Sheung Wan which she had been scheduled to attend, is expected to clarify whether she is suffering any serious illness. It is understood that the 40-year-old singer has been deeply depressed since the April suicide of her best friend, show business icon Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing.”
On December 30th, “friends of cancer-stricken Cantopop star Anita Mui Yim-fong last night rushed to her bedside after she was admitted to the Hong Kong Sanitorium and Hospital in Happy Valley. Mui’s personal assistant, Marianne Wong, said doctors had asked the 39-year-old singer to rest. She urged a press pack of about 100 reporters to wait outside the hospital and not to disturb the singer, who is being treated for cervical cancer.
“A cross-generational who’s who of stars, including Jackie Chan, Eason Chan Yick-shun, Sammi Cheng Sau-man, Cherrie Chung Chor-hung, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Chen Wai-lam and Nicholas Tse Ting-fung visited Mui in hospital.”
Sadly, Mui passed away, and on December 31st, the Post wrote that her last words were “‘Don’t cry for me. Don’t say my name. Let me go on my journey in peace.’
“‘A superstar in show business, a friend who treats us with real love wholeheartedly, Miss Mui Yim-fong has passed away at 2.50am. She died of dysfunction of the lungs caused by cervical cancer,’ announced fashion designer and long-time friend Eddie Lau Pui-kei [.]
“Chief executive Tung Chee-hwa last night paid tribute to the singer and actress who dominated the entertainment scene for more than two decades. ‘Ms Mui’s achievements and community services signified the best of Hong Kong’s spirit,’ a spokesman said.”
In the US, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
