Famous romance novelist found dead in apparent suicide

Chiung Yao, the renowned Taiwanese romance novelist, has been found dead in an apparent suicide at her home in New Taipei City, Taiwan, at noon, according to media reports. She was 86.

Chiung Yao 

Reports indicate that Chiung Yao left a note instructing her secretary to check on her at noon. Upon entering her home, the secretary found her unresponsive, prompting an immediate call to emergency services. However, it was confirmed that she had already lost her life by the time help arrived.

In her heartfelt farewell letter, Chiung Yao shared her final thoughts with friends and loved ones. She urged them not to mourn her death, but to remember her life with joy. “Please don’t cry, don’t be sad, don’t feel sorry for me. I have already ‘fluttered away’,” she wrote, referring to her peaceful passing as a final act of freedom.

Chiung Yao expressed that death is a natural part of life, one that she wished to face on her own terms. She described the decline of old age as a painful process, and after witnessing the suffering of others, she chose to leave this world with dignity, saying, “I have lived fully, burning like a spark, and now, as the flame dies, I choose this way to flutter away.”

She encouraged her loved ones to celebrate her life, urging them to smile, sing, and dance in her memory. “The beauty of life lies in the ability to love, to hate, to laugh, to cry, to sing, to run, to live freely. I have experienced all of these, and I have truly lived.”

She also emphasized the importance of courage and resilience. “Do not give up on life. Temporary setbacks are only part of life’s journey. May you live fully, facing challenges with strength and embracing every moment.”

In closing, she wished her friends and family health and happiness, urging them to live boldly and make the most of their time on earth: “Though life is not perfect, don’t miss the beauty that belongs to you.”

Born in 1938 in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, Chiung Yao — whose birth name was Chen Zhe — became Taiwan’s most iconic writer of love stories. In addition to her literary work, she was also a playwright and lyricist.

Chiung Yao developed a passion for literature at an early age. Her first published work appeared in Shanghai when she was just 9 years old. By the time she was 16, she had already written over 200 articles, including the widely praised "Outside the Window" ("Chuangwai"), which brought her significant recognition. At the age of 20, she completed her debut novel, Many Enchanting Nights ("Jidu xiyang hong"), set during the Anti-Japanese War.

Chiung Yao pursued writing professionally after failing her college entrance exams. Known for her prolific output, she completed a 200,000-word novel every four or five months. Her works, which have captivated readers for decades, were adapted into more than 100 films and television dramas.