The glamorous romance between Richard Li (李澤楷), the youngest son of business tycoon Li Ka-shing (李嘉誠), and starlet Isabella Leong (梁洛施) has hit the rocks in a spectacular smashup over which Hong Kong media have been licking their lips. What had originally been seen as a fairy-tale relationship has now been dubbed by the Chinese-language media as “the breakup of the century” (世紀分手). Papa Li, chairman of Hutchison Whampoa and Cheung Kong Holdings, is widely acknowledged as the richest person in Asia and is ranked the 14th richest person in the world, and this background of great wealth has fueled intense media speculation about the reasons for the separation and the amount of any settlement.
Earlier this week Li junior announced that he would separate from the Macau-born singer and actress also known as Luisa Isabella Nolasco da Silva. In the statement he categorically denied that a “third party” was involved, and stated that there was no financial dispute.
Both parties are keeping tight-lipped about the reasons for the breakup, which has only encouraged speculation. The most popular of the theories is the suggestion that Li formed a connection with 25-year-old model Mandy Lieu (劉碧麗). Lieu has vehemently denied suggestions that she is involved with Li, and Now.com, after extensive coverage of Lieu’s possible part in the breakup, says that the “third party” might be another woman called Mandy but surnamed “Cheung” or “Chong.”
Photo: Taipei times
When Leong was first linked to Li, the relationship was dubbed a “capitalist Cinderella dream” (資本主義的灰姑娘傳奇) come true, and whatever the truth of the allegations, Lieu has now acquired the nickname of the “Cinderella killer” (灰姑娘殺手).
Rumors of a separation payment of US$3.4 million have been reported, though there has been no confirmation. Although unmarried, Leong gave birth to three children by Li junior.
Leong’s prospects, however, are far from bleak. A return to the silver screen is widely rumored and industry insiders estimate her appearance fee would be second only to Cecilia Cheung’s (張柏芝). The Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister paper) goes so far as to suggest she could easily pick up US$1.2 million for a feature appearance. Stay tuned.
Speaking of financial settlements, some details of a compensation payment for former S.H.E member Selina Jen (任家萱), who suffered severe burns to more than 50 percent of her body while filming the TV adaptation of the 1994 movie I Have a Date With Spring (我和春天有個約會) in Shanghai last year, have been released.
The United Daily News quoted unnamed Chinese media sources as saying a settlement worth US$1.5 million has brought the whole tragic incident to a close. This is regarded as a relatively low sum, with estimates based on Jen’s marketability at the time of the accident putting the appropriate figure at US$3.3 million. The paper speculates that the parties involved wanted to draw a line under the matter.
On a happier note, pop singer Fan Fan (范瑋琪) and basketball star-turned-entertainer Charles Chen (陳建州), better known as Blackie (黑人), will tie the knot in May. Earlier this week, the Apple Daily caught the couple at their wedding photo in Taipei’s Xinyi District. Celebrity rags are already drooling at the prospect of the nuptials as rumors are circulating that pop star Wang Lee-hom (王力宏) will be best man, Aboriginal musician Biung (王宏恩) will provide the music and the whole thing will be organized by Chang Hui-mei’s (張惠妹, aka A-mei, 阿妹) agent Edward Chan (陳鎮川). The Apple Daily estimates that the banquet, already booked for the recently opened W Hotel, will run to 50 tables at least.
That US assistance was a model for Taiwan’s spectacular development success was early recognized by policymakers and analysts. In a report to the US Congress for the fiscal year 1962, former President John F. Kennedy noted Taiwan’s “rapid economic growth,” was “producing a substantial net gain in living.” Kennedy had a stake in Taiwan’s achievements and the US’ official development assistance (ODA) in general: In September 1961, his entreaty to make the 1960s a “decade of development,” and an accompanying proposal for dedicated legislation to this end, had been formalized by congressional passage of the Foreign Assistance Act. Two
Despite the intense sunshine, we were hardly breaking a sweat as we cruised along the flat, dedicated bike lane, well protected from the heat by a canopy of trees. The electric assist on the bikes likely made a difference, too. Far removed from the bustle and noise of the Taichung traffic, we admired the serene rural scenery, making our way over rivers, alongside rice paddies and through pear orchards. Our route for the day covered two bike paths that connect in Fengyuan District (豐原) and are best done together. The Hou-Feng Bike Path (后豐鐵馬道) runs southward from Houli District (后里) while the
March 31 to April 6 On May 13, 1950, National Taiwan University Hospital otolaryngologist Su You-peng (蘇友鵬) was summoned to the director’s office. He thought someone had complained about him practicing the violin at night, but when he entered the room, he knew something was terribly wrong. He saw several burly men who appeared to be government secret agents, and three other resident doctors: internist Hsu Chiang (許強), dermatologist Hu Pao-chen (胡寶珍) and ophthalmologist Hu Hsin-lin (胡鑫麟). They were handcuffed, herded onto two jeeps and taken to the Secrecy Bureau (保密局) for questioning. Su was still in his doctor’s robes at
Mirror mirror on the wall, what’s the fairest Disney live-action remake of them all? Wait, mirror. Hold on a second. Maybe choosing from the likes of Alice in Wonderland (2010), Mulan (2020) and The Lion King (2019) isn’t such a good idea. Mirror, on second thought, what’s on Netflix? Even the most devoted fans would have to acknowledge that these have not been the most illustrious illustrations of Disney magic. At their best (Pete’s Dragon? Cinderella?) they breathe life into old classics that could use a little updating. At their worst, well, blue Will Smith. Given the rapacious rate of remakes in modern