Late, Coco Lee was a singer, songwriter, and actor from Hong Kong. She rose to prominence in the 1990’s as one of the most prominent female musicians in the Asian music business. Coco Lee, known for her strong voice and dramatic performances, has recorded a number of albums and singles in both Cantonese and Mandarin, embracing a wide range of genres such as pop, R&B, and dance music. Coco Lee has had tremendous success in her music career, collecting several honors and selling millions of CDs. She has worked with international musicians and has been at big events and concerts all around the world. Her most well-known songs are "Do You Want My Love," "A Love Before Time," and "Before I Fall In Love." She has also performed at important events such as the Grammy Awards, the Academy Awards, and the World Cup, and has collaborated with worldwide singers such as Julio Iglesias, Enrique Iglesias, and Shaggy. In this article, we will learn about Coco Lee’s bio, career, early life, net worth, relationship, suicide cause and finally how fruitful her career was as she left this world for a better place on July 5, 2023, at the age of 48.
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Early Life of Coco Lee
Coco Lee, birth name Ferren Lee-Kelly, was born in Hong Kong on January 17, 1975. Coco Lee was born in the United States to a Chinese mother and an American father of Chinese and German ancestry. She was exposed to both Chinese and Western cultures as a child, which inspired her musical style and adaptability. Nancy, a Hong Kong actress who eventually became her manager, and Carol, are her two elder sisters. Before she was born, her father died. When she was nine years old, her mother relocated her and her sisters to San Francisco, where she went to Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School and Presidio Middle School. Coco competed in the Miss Chinese International Pageant in 1993, when she got the eye of a record producer. This resulted in her securing a record deal and the release of her debut album, "Love from Now On," in 1994. Coco's career as a pop vocalist was launched by the album's commercial success.
The Career of Coco Lee
Coco Lee's career was full of accomplishments and contributions to the entertainment business. Coco Lee began her music career in the early 1990s and quickly climbed to prominence due to her strong voice and dramatic stage presence. In 1994, she launched her debut album, "Coco Lee," which was a huge success. She followed it up with a string of hits, including "Just No Other Way" (1999), "Exposed" (2005), and "East to West" (2009). Coco Lee's music incorporates pop, R&B, and dance elements, and she sings in both Mandarin Chinese and English.
Some of the popular songs of Coco Lee listed are:
- “Do You Want My Love”
- “A Love Before Time” (from the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”)
- “Before I Fall in Love” (from the movie “Mulan”)
- “Can’t Get Over”
- “Di Da Di”
- “So Crazy”
- “No Doubt”
- “Just No Other Way”
- “When You Tell Me That You Love Me” (featuring Julio Iglesias)
- “Love Before We Die”
- “Touch”
- “Wherever You Go”
- “Real Love”
- “Lonely Chameleon”
- “Goodbye Sadness”
- International Collaboration
One of the few Asian musicians to receive acclaim on a global scale was Coco Lee. When she sang "A Love Before Time" for the highly acclaimed movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000), she attracted worldwide attention. Coco Lee became the first Chinese artist to receive an Oscar nomination when the song was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. She has also worked with well-known musicians including Lionel Richie, Julio Iglesias, and Enrique Iglesias. Throughout her career, Coco Lee has performed in front of sold-out crowds on a number of concert tours. She is renowned for her dynamic stage presence and engaging live performances. In her live performances, she performs both original compositions and renditions of well-known tunes.
- Acting Career
Coco Lee has pursued a career in acting in addition to singing. She has made various film and television appearances, both domestically and abroad in Asia. The Taiwanese romantic comedy film "Love in Disguise" (2010) and the Chinese drama series "The Passage of Time" (2011) are a few prominent acting ventures. In the Hong Kong film "The Avenging Fist" (2001), she played the lead character.
- Awards:
Throughout her career, Coco Lee has accumulated a large number of honors and distinctions. Numerous MTV Asia Awards have been given to her, including Best Female Artist and Favorite Female Artist. Additionally, she has received recognition from the RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards, the Chinese Music Awards, and the Golden Melody Award. Both in Asia and outside, her services to the music industry have received recognition.
- Social works:
Coco Lee takes part in charitable endeavors on a regular basis. She has backed a number of philanthropic causes and groups, such as those that are concerned with children's welfare, disaster assistance, and environmental preservation. She has taken part in charity events and benefit concerts to support these causes and raise money.
- Cause of Death
Lee was born with an anomaly in her left leg. She had surgery at the age of two, which did not solve the condition, forcing her to rely on her right leg for support for the rest of her life. On 8 March 2023, she revealed on social media to her admirers that she had undergone surgery on her pelvis and thigh in Hong Kong after injuring an old leg during dancing practice in October 2022. She posted footage of herself relearning how to walk.
Lee attempted suicide on July 2, 2023, and was transported unconscious to Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong. She died in the hospital three days later, on July 5, 2023, at the age of 48. Nancy, her sister, said that her burial will be postponed until at least August, awaiting an autopsy to determine the extent of her previously unknown breast cancer.
Based in Hong Kong Coco Lee's husband, a Canadian millionaire, has come out for the first time since his wife died on Wednesday. Lee, 48, died in Hong Kong's Queen Mary Hospital after battling depression and recovering from major surgery. On Thursday night, Lee's sister Nancy went to Facebook to notify fans that memorial services for the actor, who was well-known in Hong Kong and across the world, are being prepared. She noted that the events will take place in August in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan, with further details to be revealed later. According to a statement shared on Instagram and Facebook, Lee died three days after trying suicide. She died on Wednesday after going into a coma. 'Although Coco sought professional counseling and did her hardest to combat sadness, regrettably, the devil inside of her won,' according to the statement. 'She committed suicide at home on July 2nd and was taken to the hospital. 'Despite the hospital team's best attempts to rescue and treat her from her coma, she died on July 5, 2023,' it continued.
Relationship of Coco Lee
Coco Lee was married to Canadian businessman Bruce Rockowitz. Coco Lee and Bruce Rockowitz first met in 2008 and started dating soon after. During a romantic trip to Venice, Italy in 2010, they got engaged. The pair have been together for nearly a decade, and their bond is frequently appreciated for its strength and support. For her wedding, she wrote the song "I Just Wanna Marry U" (both the Chinese and English versions were published on October 24, 2011). On October 27, 2011, the pair married in a grandiose wedding ceremony in Hong Kong. Bruce Rockowitz is the founder of Rockowitz Asia Investments and the former CEO of Global Brands Group. Coco Lee and Bruce Rockowitz have managed to retain a solid friendship despite their hectic schedules.
Talking about their kids, Coco Lee and Bruce revealed in 2019 that they were expecting their first child. Lili, their daughter, was born on November 25, 2019. From her husband's previous marriage, she had two adult stepdaughters.
Networth of Coco Lee
Coco Lee's net worth was estimated to be at least $5 million. Coco Lee has recorded multiple albums and gained tremendous success in the music industry during her career.
Coco Lee was active on a variety of social media channels. She frequently posts images and videos of her personal life, performances, and behind-the-scenes happenings on social media. Her official account on Facebook has 204k followers, Instagram has 152k followers, Twitter has 115.7k followers and Weibo has more than 10.63 millions fans on her account.
Here are the links to her official social media accounts:
Biography of Coco Lee
Coco Lee, birth name Ferren Lee-Kelly, was born in Hong Kong on January 17, 1975. On July 5, 2023, she passed away at the age of 48. Her ethnicity is Mixed, and she belongs to the American country. She practices Christianity as her faith.
Trivia of Coco Lee
- Coco Lee is well-known for her ability to sing in Mandarin Chinese as well as English.
- Coco Lee has found success not just in Asia, but also on a global scale. She has performed and published songs in a number of countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
- She has received several honors at different music award events, including Taiwan's Golden Melody Honors and the World Music Awards.
- Coco Lee has dabbled in acting in addition to her music career. She has acted in a number of films and television series, demonstrating her ability and variety as a performer.
StarFacts of Coco Lee
Full name | Ferren Lee-Kelly |
Popular names | Coco Lee |
Birth date | January 17, 1975 |
Birthplace | Hong kong |
Death date | July 5, 2023 |
Cause of Death | Suicide |
Nationality | American |
Religion | Christianity |
Ethnicity | Caucasian |
Profession | Actress, Singer, Songwriter |
Height | 5” feet 7” inch |
Weight | 58 kg |
Marital status | Married |
Husband | Bruce Rockowitz |
Siblings | Two (Nancy and Carol) |
Networth | $5 million |
Social Media |
FAQs of Coco Lee
What is Coco Lee's real name?
Coco Lee's real name is Ferren Lee-Kelly.
Where was Coco Lee born?
Coco Lee was born in Hong Kong, on January 17, 1975.
How did Coco Lee start her singing career?
Coco Lee started her singing career by participating in various singing competitions in Hong Kong. She gained recognition and signed a recording contract, which led to the release of her debut album.
What are some of Coco Lee's popular songs?
Some of Coco Lee's popular songs include "A Love Before Time," "Do You Want My Love," "Before I Fall in Love," and "Can't Get Over."
Has Coco Lee won any awards?
Yes, Coco Lee has won several awards throughout her career, including the Golden Melody Awards, World Music Awards, and Hong Kong Film Awards.
Has Coco Lee acted in any movies?
Yes, Coco Lee has acted in a few movies, including "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li" and “Life Without Principle.”
