Pop Music Icon and Disney Star, Coco Lee, Tragically Passes Away at 48

4 min readJul 5, 2023

Remembering Coco Lee: An Icon of Pop Music Gone Too Soon

Early Life and Rise to Fame

Coco Lee, a trailblazer of Asian pop music, tragically left us on July 5, 2023, at the young age of 48. Born in British-ruled Hong Kong on January 17, 1975, Lee’s remarkable journey began when she moved to California in her childhood. Excelling in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, she swiftly won hearts not only in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan, but also across Southeast Asia, Australia, and beyond.

Entering the Mandopop scene in 1994, she released two Mandarin albums which catapulted her into fame. By the following year, she had also released an English-language album, proving her linguistic versatility.

Breakthrough in International Music

Lee’s stardom reached a new peak when she voiced the lead character in the Mandarin version of Disney’s blockbuster hit, Mulan, further endearing her to her worldwide audience. Her remarkable talent shone bright as she sang the Mandarin rendition of Mulan’s theme song, Reflection.

Notably, she recorded “A Love Before Time” for the acclaimed martial arts film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” and graced the 2001 Oscars stage with her performance, the first by a singer of Chinese descent.

Her rise to fame in the Western music industry was further cemented with her English album, “Just No Other Way,” released in 1999. The album’s standout song, “Before I Fall in Love,” was chosen as the theme for the Hollywood hit, “Runaway Bride.”

Personal Life and Struggles

Away from the limelight, Lee’s personal life was far from straightforward. Married in 2011 to Bruce Rockowitz, the ex-CEO of Hong Kong-based supply chain giant Li & Fung, rumours of their split circulated about three years before her demise. However, she never publically addressed these speculations.

Lee’s sisters, Carol and Nancy, revealed her long battle with depression, which had unfortunately worsened over the last few months of her life. Lee herself had alluded to her struggles in an Instagram post on the final day of 2022, sharing tattoos of “love” and “faith” on her arms. In her post, she empathetically reassured her followers, “You are not alone, no matter how hard life gets, I’m with u.”

Farewell to a Star

Lee’s unexpected demise came after a suicide attempt left her in a coma. Despite the hospital team’s best efforts, she tragically passed away. Her sisters remembered her fondly, cherishing her bright smile, honesty, and kindness, and urged everyone to continue sharing Lee’s love and joy with those around them.

Coco Lee may have left the world prematurely, but her immense contributions to the music industry and her efforts to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western music will continue to shine. As her sisters said, “Although CoCo stays in the world for not long a time, her rays of light will last forever!” In our hearts, Coco Lee’s music and legacy will indeed live on.

FAQs

Who was Coco Lee?Coco Lee was a renowned pop singer, born in Hong Kong and raised in the US. She gained fame in Asia and beyond for her albums in Mandarin and English. Lee also voiced the lead character in the Mandarin version of Disney’s Mulan and sang songs for the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack.When and how did Coco Lee die?Coco Lee tragically died on July 5, 2023, at the age of 48. Her death was a result of a suicide attempt that left her in a coma, as revealed by her sisters. Lee had been battling depression for a few years before her untimely death.What were some of Coco Lee’s major achievements?Coco Lee was celebrated for her music, particularly in the Mandopop scene since her debut in 1994. She also made significant strides in international music, performing a song from the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack at the 2001 Oscars, and providing the voice for the Mandarin version of Disney’s Mulan.Was Coco Lee married?Yes, Coco Lee was married to Bruce Rockowitz, the former CEO of the Hong Kong-based supply chain giant Li & Fung, in 2011. However, rumors of their split started to circulate around three years before her death.What was Coco Lee’s connection to Disney’s Mulan?Coco Lee voiced the lead character in the Mandarin version of Disney’s Mulan. She also sang the Mandarin version of the film’s theme song, “Reflection.”How did Coco Lee impact the music industry?Coco Lee broke barriers for Chinese singers in the international music scene. She was known for her linguistic versatility, singing in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, which helped her connect with a diverse fan base. She also introduced Chinese music to a global audience through her performances in Hollywood films and at international events like the Oscars.