Chen Lihua, a titan of China’s first generation of private entrepreneurs and once the nation’s wealthiest woman, has passed away at the age of 85. Known globally as the "Red Sandalwood Queen," her trajectory from a high school dropout of impoverished Manchu nobility to a billionaire philanthropist serves as a definitive narrative of China’s post-1978 economic transformation. Her death marks the end of an era for the legendary cohort of entrepreneurs who built the foundations of the modern Chinese private sector.
Born into the prestigious but then-destitute Yehe Nara clan in Beijing’s Summer Palace, Chen’s early life was defined by hardship rather than royal privilege. She built her initial fortune in the 1980s through savvy real estate maneuvers in Hong Kong, eventually returning to the mainland as a model "patriotic overseas Chinese" investor. This move allowed her to play a critical role in the redevelopment of Beijing, establishing the Fu Wah International Group as a powerhouse in the capital’s commercial landscape.
Beyond her real estate empire, Chen was defined by an expensive and singular obsession with red sandalwood (zitan). She invested hundreds of millions of dollars into the China Red Sandalwood Museum, a project that focused on the meticulous replication of Qing Dynasty imperial furniture. For Chen, this was not a commercial enterprise but a cultural mission, famously claiming that her immense wealth was merely a tool to preserve the artisanal soul of the Chinese nation.
Her personal life remained a fixture of Chinese public interest for over three decades, largely due to her marriage to Chi Zhongrui, the actor famous for playing the "Tang Monk" in the iconic 1986 television series Journey to the West. Despite the tabloid fascination with their age gap and social standing, the couple maintained a public image of traditional, mutual respect. Their partnership was often cited in Chinese media as a blend of modern business acumen and classical cultural values.
In her later years, Chen cultivated a persona of extreme personal asceticism that stood in stark contrast to her 55-billion-yuan net worth. She frequently told interviewers she lived on a mere 10 yuan a day, preferring simple vegetarian meals over the luxuries afforded by her status. This narrative of the "frugal billionaire" resonated deeply in a China grappling with growing wealth inequality, positioning her as a matriarchal figure whose primary concern was legacy rather than consumption.