Hong Kong-born American singer Coco Lee, the first Mandopop superstar to break into the American market, died at the age of 48 on Wednesday.
In a social media post, her sisters Nancy and Carol said that the popular singer – who had been battling depression – attempted suicide on Sunday.“
With great sadness, we are here (to) break the most devastating news: Coco had been suffering from depression for a few years but her condition deteriorated drastically over the last few months.
Born Ferren Lee, the star had first burst onto the Mandopop scene when she was 19 in 1994 with her debut album in Taiwan, charming fans with her powerful vocals, slick dance moves and a bubbly image.
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Her wide vocal range, reportedly spanning three octaves, earned her the reputation as the “Mariah Carey of Asia”.
Lee had previously said on her Instagram account that her goal in 2023 was to share her life story and how she kept a positive attitude despite facing major obstacles.
In a video she posted days after her surgery, she is seen walking slowly with a walker and a nurse by her side.
She then goes home in a wheelchair and cries when she sees the “welcome home” teddy bear prepared by her family.
Lee also disclosed that she was born with a defect in her left leg. A surgery done when she was two years old was unsuccessful, so she had to rely on her right leg to support her body for most of her life.
