#SHOWBIZ: Beijing Olympics anthem singer Liu Huan dies at 63, leaving rich legacy
BEIJING: Acclaimed Chinese singer and university lecturer Liu Huan passed away in Shanghai on Friday morning (Sept 25) at the age of 63.
Chinese singer and university lecturer Liu Huan died in Shanghai on September 25 at the age of 63, surrounded by his family, according to obituaries from Beijing University of International Business and Economics and the Mango V Foundation. He did not wish for a public funeral or memorial service. Liu was born in Tianjin in 1963 and studied French literature at Beijing's University of International Relations.
He gained fame in the 1980s with a unique musical style that combined traditional Chinese melodies with Western influences. Among his most well-known works was the theme song for the 1998 TV drama The Water Margin, "Heroes Song." Liu became internationally recognized when he performed the 2008 Beijing Olympics theme song "You and Me" alongside British soprano Sarah Brightman.
In addition to his performing career, he served as an associate professor at UIBE for over three decades, teaching Western classical music history from 1991 until his retirement in 2023. Liu also mentored on TV talent shows like The Voice of China, Sing! China, and Sing My Song, which he co-launched in 2014. He established the Liu Huan Original Music Fund in 2019 with the Mango V Foundation, donating 20 million yuan to support young Chinese-language songwriters.
Liu is survived by his wife, former Hunan TV host Lu Lu, and their daughter. Sarah Brightman expressed her deep sorrow over Liu's passing, praising him as an amazing talent and gentleman who will be greatly missed.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
