Veteran Actress Succumbs to Five Cancers; 'Madame Rong' Breaks Down Bidding Farewell to Friend

Legendary Chinese film star Tao Yuling, a leading figure in cinema during the 1960s, recently passed away in Beijing at the age of 91. She rose to nationwide fame for her portrayal of the fresh and resilient 'Second Sister' in the film 'The Story of Liu Bao,' becoming an era-defining icon in the hearts of countless fans. Admirably, Tao Yuling spent her life battling chronic illness; over the course of 33 years, she was diagnosed with as many as five different types of cancer, but always faced them with optimism and a smile, ultimately completing her life journey peacefully.

Tao Yuling was first diagnosed with oral cancer in 1993. Doctors bluntly told her that the surgery was extremely risky and might require tearing open her face and removing her eye to fully excise the tumor, stating, 'If you care about your appearance, you won’t live long.' Facing this cruel dilemma, she fearlessly responded: 'I served in the military—I'm not afraid to die.' She ultimately underwent surgery to remove part of her upper jaw and had a prosthetic installed, leaving her unable to eat for 40 days post-surgery. Yet illness struck again: she was later diagnosed with lung cancer, requiring partial lung removal and chemotherapy. In 2013, a mole appeared on the side of her nose and was confirmed as basal cell carcinoma, leading to eight stitches on her face. Throughout, she never bowed to fate.

After Tao Yuling’s passing, the atmosphere at her memorial service was somber, with many showbiz friends attending to pay their respects. The 89-year-old veteran actress Li Mingqi, famed for playing 'Madame Rong' in 'My Fair Princess,' made a rare appearance and broke down in tears at the scene. Choking back her sobs, she revealed that she had planned to visit her friend in hospital in the coming days, but, tragically, didn’t make it in time for a last goodbye. 'It all happened so suddenly. I can’t accept it,' she said. Recalling their many years of deep friendship—even though they had never acted together, they often met at various events and became close friends—she added, 'Every time she saw me, she would gently pat me like a child and remind me to take care of my health.'

Source: United Daily News