The '1.3 Billion Tang Monk' Tycoon’s Wife Passes Away, Leaving a Mystery—Netizens: Why Do Husband and Children Have Different Surnames?

On April 5, 2026, Chen Lihua, a legend in China’s business world and the wife of veteran actor Chi Chongrui, passed away. Her fortune of 50 billion RMB (about 28.9 billion MYR) was smoothly inherited and this matter should have been settled, but unexpectedly, it dug up a half-century-old unsolved mystery, sparking widespread online discussion.

According to reports, Chen Lihua’s first husband was surnamed Wang, named Wang Youfa, but the three biological children all bear the surname Zhao: son Zhao Yong, daughters Zhao Li and Zhao Min. They follow neither their father’s nor their mother’s surname. What’s even more curious, a niece orphan she adopted from the Wang family actually kept the Wang surname, supposedly not to forget her bloodline origins.

Once this came to light, the internet went abuzz: Why did all three children change their surname to Zhao? What unknown secrets are hidden behind this from back then?

It’s understood that in 1959, 18-year-old Chen Lihua married Wang Youfa, who worked in Beijing’s telecom system. The couple lived together for nearly 20 years and had three children. In the early 1980s, the marriage came to an end, with Chen Lihua gaining custody of all three children. Afterwards, she went to Hong Kong to build her career, and by the time she returned, she was already a rich Hong Kong businesswoman, acquiring prime land in central Beijing and building a booming business. It was only then that outsiders noticed the children’s surname change to Zhao.

Some say Chen Lihua is a descendant of the Manchu Yehe Nara clan. After the fall of the Qing dynasty, it was common for Manchurians to change their surnames to Han names, but the customary changes were to Na or Ye, not Zhao. Some speculate the children’s biological father was actually a prominent figure surnamed Zhao, and Wang Youfa was only her husband in name; others suggest Chen Lihua adopted the surname for her children for business connections when working in Hong Kong; others say it’s an old family rule or a way to avoid trouble and seek stability.

But after so many years, no evidence has ever surfaced to support any of these theories—it’s all speculation among the public. On the other hand, Chen Lihua’s succession plans are clear and unambiguous. As early as 2023, she completed all her estate arrangements by public notarization: all the group’s real estate and commercial assets would be inherited by her three Zhao-surnamed children. Over the years, the children have gained experience within the group, rising from the grassroots to management, and are already qualified successors.

As for Chi Chongrui, famed for playing Tang Monk, it’s reported he would inherit at least 7 billion RMB (4.05 billion MYR). He mainly oversees the zitan (red sandalwood) cultural enterprise, managing the China Red Sandalwood Museum, and is dedicated to cultural heritage, rarely getting involved in business operations. This arrangement ensures both the family fortune and cultural enterprise continue smoothly.

An old anecdote spanning half a century combined with colossal wealth easily sets imaginations running wild. Now that Chen Lihua has passed away, many truths may be buried with her. Some internet users say that after all, it’s a family matter and shouldn’t be overly speculated about.