Hong Kong-born singer and songwriter Coco Lee died following a suicide attempt at home that left her hospitalized in a coma, according to a statement published by her sisters Carol and Nancy Lee on social media.
A file photo of Hong Kong-born singer-songwriter Coco Lee /CFP
The 48-year-old had been suffering from depression for several years and her condition had deteriorated drastically in recent months. She attempted suicide at her Hong Kong home on Sunday and later fell into a coma in hospital. Efforts to save her were in vain and Lee died on Wednesday, the statement said.
Coco Lee caused a stir after her public debut 29 years ago at the age of just 19. Her fashionable appearance, powerful voice and dynamic dancing style earned her a strong reputation as a performer and won her many fans. She released more than ten albums and dozens of popular songs in Mandarin, Cantonese and English over the space of a decade, among which her Mandarin album "Di Da Di" sold 1 million copies in less than three months in 1998.
Coco Lee performs ahead of the NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and the Houston Rockets at the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas on November 2, 2002. /CFP
Lee was also one of the biggest Chinese singing stars to achieve international success on the world stage. She was the voice of heroine Hua Mulan in the Mandarin version of Disney's "Mulan" in 1998 and also sang the Mandarin version of the movie's theme song "Reflection." Two years later, she sang on the theme song for the Oscar winning film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and performed the song "A Love Before Time" at the 73rd Academy Awards.
Coco Lee performs "A Love Before Time" during the 73rd Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 25, 2001. /CFP
In the 2010s, Lee frequently took part in TV talent shows in the Chinese mainland, stunning audiences with her performances, sharing her singing experiences and offering advice and suggestions to young singers.
Although Lee shone on stage with her zealous dancing, she was born with defect on her left leg which was never rectified after several rounds of surgery. Every time she danced on stage, she suffered immense pain in her left leg and had to shift all her strength to the right leg.
Coco Lee shares a photo taken with her mother at a concert in Hong Kong, July 5, 2014. /CFP
However, Lee showed great perseverance and maintained an optimistic attitude towards life on social media and always encouraged her fans to be brave in the face of adversity. When Lee's sisters announced her death, netizens were shocked that such a sanguine personality had been suffering from depression and had committed suicide.
Many singers joined netizens in posting online messages of condolences to the popular singer.