“Sandalwood Queen” Chen Lihua Passes Away at 85: A Legacy of Art, Empire, and an Unconventional Romance
The world of high finance and traditional art has lost a formidable figure. On April 7, 2026, Fuhua International Group announced that its Honorary Chairperson and the Director of the China Red Sandalwood Museum, Chen Lihua, passed away in Beijing on April 5, 2026, after a period of illness. She was 85 years old.
Known as the “Sandalwood Queen,” Chen’s life was a striking study in contrasts. Despite having an estimated net worth of $5.6 billion and once being recognized as one of China’s wealthiest women, she was noted for her extreme frugality in her later years, reportedly living on a daily budget of just 10 yuan.
Beyond her business acumen, Chen was celebrated for a legendary and unconventional marriage. In 1988, she married actor Chi Zhongrui, famous for his role as “Tang Seng.” The union sparked significant public interest at the time due to their 11-year age gap—Chen was 47 and already a mother of three when they wed—and the fact that she was the one who pursued the actor. The couple remained married for 36 years, a partnership characterized by mutual respect and a shared devotion to the arts. While Chi eventually stepped away from the limelight to support his wife’s ventures, the relationship dynamics were noted for their traditional nature, with Chi often addressing her with formal respect.
Chen’s rise to power was a true rags-to-riches story. Born in 1941 to a Manchu family in Beijing, she faced early hardships and was forced to drop out of high school to work as a tailor. She often remarked that poverty served as her “best university,” forging the resilience that fueled her entrepreneurial spirit. After starting a furniture repair shop in 1977, she eventually founded Fuhua International Group in Hong Kong in 1988.
Her business empire expanded rapidly into high-end commercial real estate, most notably through the transformation of Beijing’s Jinbao Street into a luxury commercial landmark. However, her true passion lay in the preservation of culture. She dedicated immense resources to the protection of red sandalwood art, establishing the China Red Sandalwood Museum and its branch in Hengqin to ensure the survival of traditional Chinese craftsmanship.
Throughout her life, Chen remained deeply connected to the performing arts. In a 2021 interview, she demonstrated her enduring vitality and passion by performing a Peking Opera piece, showcasing the artistic side of the woman who had mastered the world of international commerce.
The corporate ties and cultural institutions she left behind stand as a testament to a woman who successfully bridged the gap between immense material wealth and a profound commitment to heritage.
