Chinese actress Zhu Yuanyuan passed away from cancer on May 17 at the age of 51.
Her death was confirmed by her husband, actor Xin Baiqing, through an obituary.
The statement read: “During her nearly five-year battle with cancer, she was never pessimistic or discouraged. Instead, she faced every challenge with strength and confidence, sharing her love for life with those around her through laughter and warmth.”
He shared that she passed away peacefully, leaving behind a reminder not to waste a single day or moment.
He also noted that the funeral would be kept simple.
Zhu's death came just 16 days after she announced the completion of filming for her latest drama, The City Builder, co-starring Zhao Liying and Huang Xiaoming.
The series was expected to mark another high point in her career, but has now become her posthumous work.
Active in both film and television, she gained international recognition for her role in Ocean Heaven (2010), in which she starred alongside Jet Li and Gwei Lun-Mei.
Zhu was also known for her work on stage.
In remembrance of the actress, the National Theatre of China described her passing as “a tremendous loss to China's theatre and film communities and a heartbreak for countless audiences".
The statement also read: "What she left behind is not only a legacy of classic stage and screen performances, but also her deep love, passion, and pursuit of the performing arts, as well as her reverence for the stage, her genuine affection for the people, and her commitment to her country. ”
