A Short Biography of Betty Le Di
4. When the Star Wanes



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    On 16 March 1967, Le Di applied for separation from Chen Hou and then moved to Prince Edward Road to live with two of her brothers. On 27 June, she filed for divorce at the High Court. The court gave its approval on 3 October and Le Di was also granted the right to raise her daughter.

    On 28 October 1967, Le Di founded Golden Eagle Film Limited with her brother Kelly Lei Zhen and famous director Yuan Qiufeng. She played in two martial arts films, "The Vagabond Swordsman" (1968) and "Duel at the Supreme Gate" (1968), which were the first productions of Golden Eagle.

Golden Eagle founded

Le Di (third from left), Kelly Lei Zhen (second from right) and Yuan Qiufeng (first from left) with other guests at the inauguration of Golden Eagle Film Limited.
mother and daughter
Instead of going to banquets and gatherings with friends, Le Di always stayed at home to accompany her beloved daughter.

   Le Di starred in nine films during her years with MP&GI (which was later renamed "Cathay Organisation Hong Kong (1965) Limited"):
(a) "A Beggar's Daughter" (1965)
(b) "The Longest Night" (1965)
(c) "The Lucky Purse" (1966)
(d) "Lady in the Moon" (1966)
(e) "A Debt of Blood" (1966)
(f) "The Magic Fan" (1967)
(g) "Darling, Stay at Home" (1968)
(h) "Travels with a Sword" (1968)
(i) "Red Plum Pavilion" (1968)

    In a statement made in major Chinese newspapers on 10 April 1968, Golden Eagle announced that Le Di would no longer be a shareholder of the company. She would become a contract actress instead. Le Di also made it clear that she would not star in martial arts films any more.

    In June 1968, Le Di moved into a newly bought apartment in Boundary Street with her daughter and two maids.

    Le Di was preparing for two new productions in December 1968. On the afternoon of 27 December 1968, Le Di was found unconscious in her bedroom after an excessive intake of sleeping pills. She was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for emergency treatment, which failed. She died at the age of 31. On 30 December, she was buried at the Cheung Sha Wan Roman Catholic Cemetery after a sad funeral.

Wu (fog)
Three portraits of Le Di in one of the two productions she was preparing for in December 1968.

tragic death

Le Di passed away before the cameras began running.


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