An obituary issued on Tuesday said Chen passed away in Beijing on April 5 after an illness, according to Global Times.

Chen, whose fortune came mainly from real estate and the China Red Sandalwood Museum, was listed by the Hurun Research Institute in 2026 as having a net worth of 47 billion yuan (US$6.8 billion), placing her among China’s richest individuals and the world’s wealthiest self-made women.

Her rise accelerated in 1996 when she launched Beijing’s Changan Club, an exclusive business venue near Tiananmen Square known for its wealthy membership and high annual fees.

She also expanded her fortune through property development on Beijing’s Jinbao Street, where one of her company’s malls hosts a range of international luxury brands.

She married Chi in 1990, and their relationship, between one of China’s richest women and an actor 11 years her junior, drew public attention.

Chen said she took the initiative in pursuing Chi. “Chi was attractive and drew the attention of many women,” she said.

Speaking on Dongfang TV, Chi said he was not intimidated by his wife’s strong personality and admired her as a “powerful woman.”

In her later years, Chen and Chi focused on developing the China Red Sandalwood Museum and a cosmetics line they founded together. The couple appeared in videos about cosmetics production and wood carving. Chi also took part in promotional photos and livestreams for skincare products.

Social media rumors said Chen left her husband an inheritance of 18 billion yuan. Those involved have not confirmed or commented on the claims.

Chen had three children from a previous marriage. Her eldest son, Zhao Yong, oversees 71 companies in the group, including Changan Club. Her eldest daughter, Zhao Li, controls 14 companies. Chi holds leadership roles at two companies to red sandalwood.

Chi is celebrated for his role in “Journey to the West”, a 1982 TV adaptation that remains his most notable work despite his involvement in other films and shows.