Taiwanese Hokkien Song Queen Chen Ying-chieh Passes Away at 72; Cause of Death Revealed: Dementia Led to Dehydration and Multiple Organ Failure

Chen Ying-chieh, a towering icon of Taiwan’s Hokkien-language music industry, passed away on the evening of June 12 at 7 p.m. in Taipei at the age of 72. The news was confirmed by her close friend Barbie Hsu via social media, who bid farewell with the message “The rocket has arrived.” She described Chen’s life as extraordinarily vibrant and filled with timeless songs that accompanied generations of music lovers. The announcement has deeply saddened many in the entertainment industry and among fans, marking the end of a legendary chapter in Taiwanese music history.

Shortly after, details about Chen’s cause of death emerged. It is believed that in her later years, she suffered from dementia, which led her to frequently forget to drink water—resulting in severe dehydration, kidney failure, sepsis, and ultimately multiple organ failure.

Chen had long faced declining health, with repeated reports of critical condition in recent years. As early as 2019, she suffered a stroke while preparing for a cruise ship performance but insisted on completing her work before undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, gradually reducing public appearances.

By 2023, prior to her imprisonment, relatives disclosed that Chen had developed moderate dementia. She required assistance to walk, struggled with daily self-care, and repeatedly asked the same questions—clear signs that her health was deteriorating rapidly.

In 2023, Chen began serving a prison sentence for incitement to forge negotiable instruments, entering custody with pre-existing medical conditions. About six weeks later, her health sharply declined. She developed acute kidney failure, sepsis, acute respiratory failure, and hyperkalemia, requiring intubation, dialysis, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. After evaluation, prison authorities granted her medical parole, allowing her to receive long-term hospital treatment under family care.

According to friends, her dementia caused her to routinely forget hydration, leading to chronic dehydration—a key factor linked to her subsequent acute kidney failure and sepsis. During her medical parole, she showed brief signs of improvement: regaining speech, writing her name, and recognizing loved ones. However, her kidney function and overall health remained unstable, and she was repeatedly readmitted to the ICU due to infections.

In May 2024, her condition worsened again. Music producer Hsu Chang-te revealed she had suffered from persistent bloody stools and significantly diminished mental clarity. A farewell concert was held at the end of May, inviting singers and fans to send their final blessings through music.

Chen ultimately succumbed to multiple organ failure. Since her debut in the 1970s, her uniquely raspy and emotive voice popularized classics like "Hai Hai Ren Sheng" (Live Life Freely) and "Feng Fei Sha" (Flying Sand in the Wind), leaving an indelible mark on the Hokkien music landscape.

Following her passing, numerous entertainment figures expressed sorrow. Jacky Wu recalled Chen’s difficult final years, burdened by health, financial, and legal issues, and once rallied support from peers to help her. Upon hearing the news, he expressed deep sadness, hoping she could finally “leave suffering behind and find peace,” bidding farewell to a respected senior artist.

Pepsi Bai, who shared decades of stage camaraderie with Chen, initially refused to believe the news until confirming it with Hsu Chang-te. She had long dreamed of inviting Chen back onto her show—not necessarily to sing, but to have other artists perform her classics and recreate their iconic stage banter. That dream now remains unfulfilled, and Bai lamented the inevitable regrets in life, though she believes Chen may have found relief after enduring prolonged illness.

Comedian and host Kevin Tsai, recording in Tainan, learned of Chen’s passing only after finishing work. He posted a heartfelt tribute, recalling their early collaborations and praising her role in mentoring young talent through programs like "Star Tomorrow." He emphasized that her voice and legacy would endure: “Your songs will live forever in our hearts.”

Kang Kang, performing on a cruise, received the news afterward. He had been monitoring Chen’s condition through Hsu Chang-te and even purchased 100 copies of related books with his own money, indirectly channeling royalty income to support her. Their last meeting was over three years ago, when Chen’s voice was noticeably hoarse—“wanting to sing but unable to”—a moment Kang Kang still remembers vividly. Despite her hardships, he noted she retained the dignified presence of a “big sister” figure in the industry.

Chen Kai-lun, who knew Chen for over 40 years, shared a brother-sister bond forged during their early days performing in nightclubs. Chen often drove him to and from work. Even while managing his own illness, Chen Kai-lun visited her seven times in the hospital. His deepest regret: “She passed away, and I wasn’t by her side.”

Dragon Chien-yu recalled how Chen gifted her performance gowns and shared stage wisdom when she first started out. Hsu Fu-kai expressed gratitude for her encouragement and mentorship, emotionally declaring, “See you in the next life.” Hsu Chih-hao fondly remembered her warm, approachable personality and infectious laughter offstage.