Bruce Lee’s Eldest Sister Li Qiuyuan Passes Away; Shannon Lee Posts Family Photo in Tribute

The eldest sister of legendary martial arts superstar Bruce Lee, Li Qiuyuan, passed away at her home in San Francisco, USA on June 8, at the age of 88.

On behalf of the Lee family’s youngest son Li Zhenhui, the "Bruce Lee Club" announced the sad news to the public via social media Facebook. He revealed that the family is currently enduring their grief and handling funeral matters, and earnestly requests the public to give them space and peace. Details of the funeral will be announced at an appropriate time.

In response to her aunt’s passing, Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon Lee also posted a tribute on Instagram. She specially uploaded precious old photos of her father Bruce Lee with her aunt when they were young, and wrote “Rest in Peace.”

The Lee family had five siblings in total: eldest daughter Li Qiuyuan, second daughter Li Qiufeng, eldest son Li Zhongchen, second son Li Zhenfan (Bruce Lee), and youngest son Li Zhenhui. Li Qiuyuan had a close relationship with Bruce Lee. In 2013, she returned to Hong Kong to attend the "Legend of 40 Years — Bruce Lee" memorial event, sharing little-known sides of her younger brother. She revealed that Bruce Lee was especially naughty and stubborn as a child. Their father did not approve of him learning martial arts, but Bruce Lee had an incredible talent for it and often pitted himself against their father.

Li Qiuyuan participated in many related commemorative activities, emphasizing that Bruce Lee’s spirit has become an important cultural symbol for Hong Kong. She once lent her long-treasured Bruce Lee memorabilia for exhibitions. One of these items, a red, yellow, and green knit sweater, was a gift from Bruce Lee to his sister to keep her warm when she first arrived in the U.S. and felt cold—a gift Li Qiuyuan cherished deeply.