Chinese philanthropist Li Chunping, who gained fame for inheriting a massive fortune from a Hollywood star's widow, has died in Beijing at age 76, triggering immediate battles over his estate.
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Li's extraordinary life saw him rise from poverty to immense wealth after reportedly spending 13 years with an elderly Hollywood actress who left him her entire fortune. The former soldier turned multimillionaire became one of China's first Rolls-Royce owners and was known as the "mainland's top philanthropist."
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According to Li's autobiography, he met the retired Hollywood star while working at a Beijing hotel during China's reform era. She was reportedly struck by his resemblance to her American first love and brought him to California. After 13 years together, they married shortly before her 1991 death, enabling Li to inherit 7 billion yuan.
Li's wealth eventually grew to 26.8 billion yuan, funding an extravagant lifestyle including multiple Rolls-Royces, a 400-ping mansion, and numerous antiques. His story inspired the 2009 television drama "Human Feelings."
The philanthropist never revealed the star's identity, bound by inheritance conditions. Speculation included Katharine Hepburn and Paulette Goddard.
Following his death, a woman claiming to be his "fiancée" surfaced online with family photos, while singer Han Kaiyi announced she is the mother of Li's 10-year-old son and has engaged lawyers to pursue inheritance rights. Li had suffered from Alzheimer's in later years amid reports of financial exploitation.
