On 13/10, a video of the 73-year-old artist in Hebei province became a top trending topic on Weibo. He was accompanied by businessman Zhao Yong, his late partner Chen Lihua's son from a previous marriage. In fan-recorded videos, Chi Trong Thuy walked slowly, his left hand appearing immobile. The artist smiled, waving his right hand in response to greetings from the audience.
Chi Trong Thuy at a handicraft exhibition. Video: Weibo/Zhao Hongmin
The actor had not attended public events since Chen Lihua passed away in April. Chi Trong Thuy also stopped livestreaming to promote the Zitan wood museum in Beijing and the family company's wood products. Previously, he often attended meetings and worked at the museum with his wife.
Chi Trong Thuy's family has remained silent regarding rumors surrounding Chen Lihua's inheritance. According to statistics released by research firm Hurun earlier this year, the businesswoman owned assets worth 47 billion yuan (over 6.8 billion USD), ranking 12th on the list of the world's richest self-made female billionaires. Her primary business sectors were real estate and the Zitan wood museum.
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Billionaire Chen Lihua passed away in April, at 85 years old. Photo: Sina
She and actor Chi Trong Thuy married in 1990. At the time, the romance between one of China's wealthiest women and an actor 11 years her junior garnered significant public interest. The businesswoman once revealed that she actively pursued Chi Trong Thuy. She said, "Mr. Chi is handsome; many women lined up to pursue him."
On Dongfang TV, the actor stated he was not timid or insecure about his wife's strong personality; he admired her image as a "strong woman". He found happiness in their mutual understanding and complementary relationship.
Chi Trong Thuy is known across China for his role as Tang Monk in "Journey to the West". Video: Bilibili
The businesswoman and Chi Trong Thuy had no children together. Chen had three children from a previous marriage; her eldest son, Zhao Yong, now controls 71 companies within the group, including Changan Club. Her eldest daughter, Zhao Li, manages 14 companies. Chi Trong Thuy serves as a leader in two Zitan wood-related companies.
The actor was one of three people to play Tang Sanzang in "Journey to the West" (following Wang Yue and Xu Shaohua). On HSB, director Yang Jie once recounted how, after Xu Shaohua left the film crew for studies, she struggled to find a replacement. One evening, as she and the script supervisor descended a staircase, they encountered a man walking in the opposite direction. "In that dim light, I still recognized the handsome appearance and demeanor of the person who had just passed me. I quickly called out, 'Hey, you, stop.' He was startled and turned towards me. I saw his elegant bearing more clearly," Yang Jie recalled. Thanks to that chance encounter, Chi Trong Thuy joined the film crew.
After "Journey to the West" in 1982, Chi Trong Thuy appeared in about 10 film and television works but did not achieve significant recognition.
Nhu Anh
