Taiwanese Romance Novelist Chiung Yao Dies at 86 in Apparent Suicide

Chiung Yao holds her new book at a book release event in Taipei on Aug 1, 2017. CNA/AFP via Getty Images

Famed Taiwanese romance novelist Chiung Yao, 86, has died in an apparent suicide.

According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, the popular author was found dead in her home in New Taipei City on Dec. 4.

Yao was reportedly discovered by her secretary, who had been instructed to check on her boss around noon local time. She found her unresponsive and called for help.

Emergency responders confirmed that Yao died at the scene, and prosecutors noted there was no indication of foul play.

Meanwhile, her 63-year-old son told authorities that his mother left a suicide note addressed to him, along with a public note posted to social media.

“Goodbye, my loved ones. I feel lucky that I have met and known you in this life,” read the open letter on Facebook.

The note further advised followers not to be sad, as she had “passed away gracefully,” before asking her younger audience “not to give up on life easily” and consider setbacks mere trials in life.

Novelist Career

Born Chen Che in Sichuan, China, in 1938, she was best known under her pen name, Chiung Yao.

She was the daughter of literary scholars. Her father was a professor at the National Normal University, and her mother once taught Chinese literature at Taiwan Jianguo High School.

In 1949, she and her family moved to Taiwan after the Chinese Communist Party took control.

Yao started writing at 18 and published over 60 novels, including “Outside the Window” (1963), “One Side of the Water” (1975), and “Green Green Grass by the River” (1992).

She was married twice. Her second husband, Ping Hsin-tao, was the founder and head of Crown Magazine and Crown Publishing, which published many of her novels.

Throughout her decades-long career, Yao found passion in writing romance novels, many of which were turned into popular movies and television shows.

She added screenwriter and producer to her resume, most notably “My Fair Princess,” a popular ‘90s Chinese TV drama that ultimately launched the careers of many household names in the entertainment industry.

The actors who appeared in her films paid tribute via Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, remembering Yao’s work and offering condolences.

“I feel fortunate to have portrayed a character from (Chiung Yao’s) stories,” wrote Taiwanese actor Alec Su, who starred as Prince Yongqi in “My Fair Princess.”

Meanwhile, Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming, who played Xiao Jian in “My Fair Princess III,” said the influence Yao left behind through her storytelling will impact generations to come.

“[Chiung Yao’s)] works have illuminated the youth of generations, teaching us how to love, cherish, and face the challenges and difficulties in life,” he wrote.