Chinese-American Singer Coco Lee Dies at 48

The family of Chinese American pop singer Coco Lee announced her death Wednesday (July 5) at the age of 48.

The Mandapop singer attempted suicide at home over the weekend and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. She was in a coma before dying, her elder sisters Carol and Nancy said.

"CoCo is also known to have worked tirelessly to open up a new world for Chinese singers in the international music scene, and she went all out to shine for the Chinese," her sisters added. "We are proud of her!"

Early Years and Career

Lee was born Ferren Lee in Hong Kong with her sisters and widowed mother but later moved to the US where she had basic education. She returned to Asia as a pop singer in the 1990s and 2000s and was known for her hit single "Before I Fall in Love" and the Mandarin version of the song "Reflection" from the Disney animated movie "Mulan". She also released albums in Cantonese.

Lee was also known for being the Mandarin singing and acting voice of Fa Mulan in the Disney adaptation of the Chinese ballad of the warrior maiden of the same name. The English versions were dubbed by Ming-Na Wen (acting) and Lea Salonga (singing).

She was also known for being the first Chinese American to perform at the Oscars.

'Mulan' Voice Actor's Battle Against Depression

In 2011, Lee married Canadian businessman Bruce Rockowitz, who was the former CEO of the Hong Kong supply chain company Li & Fung. She did not have children of her own but became the stepmother of Rockowitz's daughters from his first marriage.

In March, she shared on social media that she had to learn to walk again after undergoing major surgery to treat her left leg, which was a birth defect of hers.

Lee committed suicide near the 30th anniversary of her career after suffering from depression for several years, her sisters said in a statement posted on Facebook and Instagram. "Although CoCo sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her," the statement added.

In an interview with The Straits Times in 2014, Lee said she wanted to be remembered as "an artist who brought entertainment to people.

"I want to make people happy when they watch me sing and dance. I want to bring joy through my music," she added.