Taiwanese Romance Novelist Chiung Yao Dies at 86 in Apparent Suicide

The prolific author, known for her influential novels and TV dramas, left a note expressing her decision to end her life on her own terms.

Chiung Yao, born Chen Che in 1938 in Sichuan, China, was a celebrated Taiwanese romance novelist with over 60 published works spanning five decades.
She was found deceased in her New Taipei City home on December 4, 2024, with authorities confirming her death as an apparent suicide.
Her novels, including 'Outside the Window' and 'One Side of the Water,' were widely popular and often adapted into films and TV series, such as the iconic 'My Fair Princess.'
In a pre-recorded video and her suicide note, Chiung Yao expressed her gratitude for life and her desire to control her passing, describing herself as a 'spark' that had burned with all her strength.
Chiung Yao's works remain a cornerstone of Chinese-language romantic literature, inspiring generations of readers and leaving a lasting cultural legacy.