Was reading about her biography and looking for her songs on youtube. A lot of singers die un-natural deaths. Some trivia.
Born: 29-1-53. Chinese Zodiac Year - Dragon (Water element). Snake year started on 14 Feb 1953.
Astrological sign - Aquarius.
At 14 years old she stopped schooling and sang professionlly.
29 Jan 1953 - 8 May 1995
Teresa passed away while on holiday in Suite 1502, Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Chiang Mai, on 8.5.95 - 42 years old. Some say she collapsed naked on the hallway of the Imperial Hotel holding an "inhaler" for relieving asthma. She left her room and was crawling along the corridor looking for help, calling out for "mama", her last words heard by the hotel staff. How tragic. The Thai newspaper published pictures of her naked corpse. Newspapers reported there were some superficial bruises on her face, head, neck and leg. In a Malaysian chinese newspaper's photo, I saw small bruises on her neck and leg, but unfortunately I could not read Chinese while nothing much was reported in English newspapers. Some say on her face there were some red marks like "finger marks" - like the face was slapped. It was unsure if the bruises were caused before her death or by the medical team while trying to save her.
Her French boyfriend Paul was out. Some rumours say they had an argument before he went out at about 3.30pm. Yet some say she stayed back alone at the hotel and didnt join her friends because she complained she was not feeling well. She has been feeling unwell for 3 months suffering from flu and pneumonia as reported. So did they really had a quarrel? Did she died of illness or asthma? Her family did not want a post-mortem. It was generally believed she died of a heart attack or breathing difficulties brought on by asthma or pneumonia, or whatever.
I believe she would have lived longer if she was not in this relationship with a toyboy but with someone older and more sensible who can take care of her health. Teresa and Paul were together for about 6 years.
Teresa had fame and wealth but unlucky in love. I remembered that at the height of her fame, she was courted by many rich men.
Lovelife
1) Her first love was Lim Zhen Fa. He was Malaysian casino tycoon Lim Shui Chen's son. She was 19 and he was 8 years older. He loved her deeply and treated her well. Unfortunately relationship did not lead to marriage. He died of a 'heart attack'. Do not know if he died suddenly while they were a couple or whether the relationship did not work out, and then resulted in his death. I do not know when he died. What I knew was her heart wrenching song "Goodbye my love" was released in 1975.
In 1976, at her concert in Hong Kong, Teresa was overwhelmed with her emotions and cried while singing the song "Goodbye my love". At the moment when she got emotional, an audible sob was heard, she then covered her mouth with her hands. She wiped her tears away from her cheeks and carried on singing. First love...heartbreaks...when love ends...saying goodbye to loved ones...was never easy, and will never be easy for anyone.
2) In 1979 Jackie Chan, the famous Hongkong actor courted her. But Jackie said Teresa was such a sweet, shy, gentle well mannered, quiet girl while he is the talkative, loud, rough, vulgar type. Jackie ended up with the other girl, actress Joan Lin Fong Chiao (whom he married after she got pregnant) because he claimed her character was more similar to him, so was more compatible. (So was the ever playful Jackie dating two Taiwanese superstars at the same time?)
Jackie and Teresa....
In 1982, Jackie married his pregnant girlfriend, famous Taiwanese actress Joan Lin and their only son was born that year. He married her after she commented that their child will be born soon, she is unmarried, and she does not know what details to put in the baby's birth certificate. Shall baby follow mother's name? Since she was unmarried, should the name of father be "unknown"? So he therefore married her. After news got out that Jackie was married, his fans were heartbroken, and even one of his fan committed suicide.
3) In February 1982 - 29 years old Teresa announced her engagement to Beau Kuok who is eldest son of Malaysian billionaire Robert Kuok, nickname "Sugar King". They own the Shangri-La Hotels. Marriage was discussed and planned. His family imposed the condition that Teresa had to provide written details about all her past relationships and boyfriends. She also had to cut off all ties with the entertainment circle. This condition was absurd but then again, this was a billionaire's family, very respectable and traditional. They dont want scandals later on with men or business rivals claiming to have slept with her since she was everyman's ideal dreamgirl and most wanted trophy bride. Tabloids were always linking her to this rich man or that actor, therefore his parents demanded a written account from her to know the truth from the false.
This condition was terribly embarassing for any girl.
The marriage was cancelled. With dreams of marrying squashed, Teresa was sadden and threw herself back into her work in Japan.
Mr. Beau, owner of Shangri La hotel, gave this matchbox to Teresa when they got engaged. Her name embossed on it. Outwardly it looked like a simple gift but in fact very symbolic and powerful gesture.
In 1985 at her Japan concert, she wore a bridal gown to perform and she looked dazzling as a bride.
Around 1986 or 1988, Teresa bought a villa in Carmel Hill, Stanley, Hongkong. Now known as The House of Teresa, sort of like a museum. She also relocated - worked and lived in Paris and London. In 1990 she became a French resident.
This was Teresa's home in Hongkong. Paul's bedroom was in the front of the house upstairs, as shown here.
4) In 1989 Teresa met Quilery Paul Puel Stephane in Paris. Paul was 21 years, she 36 years. Paul was a photographer and she falling in love with a photographer seemed destined. She loved having her photos taken since she was a kid. One week after meeting Paul at her recording studio, she paid a visit to Paul's photostudio to have him take some photographs of her. Paul could feel the love that Teresa had for him. Love at first sight for Teresa. The relationship started. Initially Teresa was chaperoned by her personal assistant on their dates but as the relationship progressed more intimately, Paul asked Teresa not to have her chaperone follow them. Paul then quit his job and became a fulltime boyfriend and companion for Teresa and they had 6 happy fun-filled years of bumming around. Teresa finally got to enjoy her life.
Paul - Born 21.9.67. So beautiful with earring and long hair. 14 years younger than Teresa.
Paul never cut his hair since 18 years old.
Paul filmed a lot of videos of Teresa. Here in Thailand, he filmed himself drawing a big heart on the sand and writing I love you. 3-1/2 years after Teresa died, Paul accepted a TV interview in Hongkong and released some of his personal private videos of Teresa.
TV interview clips
Young Paul knows how to make Teresa happy. Teresa's inner child was evident in the videos, the love song goddess was enjoying her lost childhood.
Love, romance and affection in Thailand.
Teresa like singing this song to Paul "When will you return" (He ri jun zai lai).
Paul lived with Teresa and accompanied her everywhere. She supported him financially and they had many happy years together even though her family objected to their relationship. By now she had retired and lived on her Japan music royalties payment. However she do occasionally performed for charity shows.
On New Year Eve's in Thailand, she even sang a song at the Mae Ping Hotel where the countdown celebrations was held in the garden, and she insisted that the hotel do not announce it or reveal her name. She just like to sing and she looked very happy.
End of a legend.
In Asia its Teresa Teng, Europe is Princess Diana and America is Marilyn Monroe. Legendary women icons dont grow old, they all die young.
Coffin of Teresa
Baby Teresa
Teresa was 4 years old when she went into a photostudio on her own and told the man her mother asked her to come and have her photo taken. When the photo was ready, the studio contacted her mother to collect the photo. Her mother was shocked as she did not know about this. She was both angry and amused. This incident shows just how much Teresa liked to be photographed and how determined she was to achieve her dreams. She posed with such great confidence. Destined for success. So having photographer Paul as her companion must have fulfilled her.
Rest in Peace, for Teresa has found love in heaven.
Imperial Mae Ping Hotel. Someday should go to Chiangmai.
The room Teresa stayed in - Royal Prince Suite no. 1502.
Photo displayed inside Imperial Hotel
Teresa's death pictures
Update - 28.9.15.
I have been keeping these pictures for a few years and resisted posting. Its heartbreaking to see her like this dead. Last night was Mid-autumn festival, and a Supermoon Bloodmoon lunar eclipse took place. Looking at the Supermoon, eating mooncakes and playing with lanterns reminded me of her 1977 cover song which became a classic hit - "The Moon Represents My Heart". (Original singer Chen Fen Lan, 1972)
Even American musician Jon Bon Jovi sang and recorded this song for his Chinese fans for his China concert on Sept 14, 2015 (Shanghai), Sept 17 (Beijing). Unfortunately his China concert was cancelled by the Chinese Government.
Thailand - 8th May 1995, the day she stopped breathing.
Funeral in Taiwan.
For burial she was dressed in a light pink "qipao" and her mother's pearl necklace.
Teresa's heartbroken mother at the funeral.
Teresa's HK home is now called The House of Teresa in Stanley, a museum open to visitors.
3-1/2 years after Teresa died, forlorn Paul, now 31 years old still don't have a job or girlfriend. But he finally cut his hair and looked more grown-up.
NEWS UPDATE: 28 Aug 2011:-
6 Tourists
died mysteriously in
3 different Hotels in Chiangmai in their bedrooms. I wonder if Teresa Teng's death was triggered by the same cause too? Read the news:
click
These sudden deaths sound so creepy, like a horror-flick summer vacation movie, only its for real.
NEWS UPDATE: click to read the full report of the tourists' death by Thailand Department of Disease Control.
(Deja-vu?: Teresa's younger brother passed away while on holiday in Shanghai on 23.7.08 - 54 years old). Its rather eerie - 2 siblings died while holidaying.
Click: 1)
more on Teresa 2)
click
1990 - Seaside holiday photos in Paris with Brigitte.
Teresa on holiday in the Meditteranean (with Brigitte Lin Chin Hsia). They took some NUDE photos of themselves! Teresa kept Brigitte's nude photos while Brigitte kept Teresa's nude photos. With Teresa dead now, the nude photos of Brigitte are now missing. (Is it true or rumours? Yes its true.)
Sexy Brigitte, another famous Taiwanese actress
Girls do foolish things in their youth, especially when they are in the company of their peers. Be wise girls, take no nude photos or videos or you will regret your foolish wild moments later on in life!...
Teresa's tomb and memorial park in Jinshan, Taiwan
Above photos are from Panoramio.com
Teresa in Hong Kong's Madame Tussaud Wax Museum
Beijing's Teresa Teng Memorial museum
Teresa had such a crystal clear voice and I am so glad I went to her concert once in the early 1980's when she performed in a nightclub in Campbell Complex, Kuala Lumpur. UNFORGETTABLE!
UPDATE: 20 June 2012
Tourist deaths in Phi Phi Island, Phuket, Thailand.
Two Canadian sisters died of poisoning inside their hotel room in Phi Phi Palms Hotel. Bodies covered in vomit, gums bled, skin lesions, fingernails and toenails turned black. 3 years ago in 2009 another two female tourists died of poisoning in their adjoining room in Phi Phi Island. Their deaths were unexplained as autopsies were not available on that small island. Phi Phi was where Leonardo diCaprio filmed the movie The Beach.
Read:
Click
I am wondering if there is a serial killer on the island killing off female tourists by serving "deadly poisonous puffer fish". Scary. Dont eat seafood. Thank God I didnt go to that island but stayed in Phuket on my previous visit.
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Teresa Teng's Japanese song that I like: Ame no Yo no Hana "Rainy Night flower"
youtube
Indeed sadly, Teresa the beautiful flower wilted and died young.
Updates - 6 October 2015
TV documentary about Teresa Teng's life - made in 2013 which would have been her 60th birthday. This Chinese language documentary is very informative. It even shows her dead stiff body dressed in pink cheongsam being lifted into the coffin by her brothers.
Teresa Teng life story
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuoUA05r2_g
