Hong Kong-born American singer Coco Lee has passed away at the age of 48 following a suicide attempt. The news of her death was confirmed by her sisters, Nancy and Carol Lee, through an Instagram post.
They revealed that Coco had been struggling with depression for several years, and her condition had worsened over the past few months.
On July 2, she attempted suicide at home and was taken to the hospital. Despite efforts to treat her, she remained in a coma until her passing on July 5.
Coco Lee gained popularity as an Asian pop star during the 1990s and early 2000s. Her debut album in 1996 became one of the best-selling albums of the year, and she continued to release music in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English.
Notably, Coco performed the song “A Love Before Time” from the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, becoming the first Chinese musician to perform live at the Academy Awards ceremony where the song was nominated for Best Original Song.
In 2002, she became the first Chinese brand ambassador for luxury brand Chanel. Coco also had a successful career in acting, appearing in movies such as No Tobacco and Master of Everything. She lent her voice to the character of Mulan in Disney’s Mandarin version.
In her personal life, Coco Lee was born in Hong Kong and later moved to the United States, where she completed her education.
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She married Canadian business tycoon Bruce Rockowitz in 2011, and their Jewish wedding ceremony featured performances by renowned singers like Ne-Yo, Alicia Keys, and Bruno Mars. Coco had two stepdaughters from her husband’s previous marriage.
The news of Coco Lee’s death has saddened her fans. Her sisters expressed gratitude for the support and shared their responsibility to take care of their elderly mother.
Coco Lee’s sisters Carol & Nancy also requested some privacy from fans during this period. Her sisters have also mentioned her remarkable career achievements, and her dedication to the international music industry.