Mimi Chu appears even slimmer in new photos, sparking concern

At 71, Zhu Mimi has spent more than half a century in the entertainment industry. She began her career singing in lounge bars before signing with a record company and rising to fame as a professional singer. At the peak of her career, she even held her own solo concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum. With remarkable earning power, she reportedly owns nearly ten properties, with her net worth estimated to exceed HK$100 million.

In recent years, Zhu has slowed down her work pace and returned to Singapore to live with her family. She now enjoys a more relaxed lifestyle, making only occasional stage appearances.

Rarely seen in Hong Kong, Zhu recently returned to attend the birthday celebration of her close friend “Blackie” Lee Lai-ha. The two have known each other for over 30 years and once performed together frequently. However, her noticeably slimmer appearance at the event raised concerns about her health.

According to Sing Tao Headline, veteran media professional Wong Man-ling shared photos from the birthday party online. In the photos, Zhu appeared significantly thinner, with visible age spots on her face, giving her a more aged look compared to the past.

Zhu later explained in interviews that her weight loss was mainly due to her diet. “I only eat vegetables at night. My specialty is steamed pork with eggs — using salted eggs, preserved eggs, and regular eggs. It’s very simple,” she said. She also stressed that she undergoes annual health check-ups at public hospitals, all of which have shown normal results. “I’ve lost more than ten pounds in the past two years, but I still eat a lot. I’ve never tried to lose weight deliberately. It’s probably just because I’m getting older and my body feels lighter. Eating smaller meals more frequently is better for health.”

Due to her demanding work schedule, Zhu admitted that she spent limited time with her two sons while they were growing up. Her second son, Ma Kin-chun, once shared that he rarely had the chance to spend time with his mother, as her work often forced her to cancel plans, which left him feeling unhappy as a child.

Zhu also acknowledged that sending her sons back to Singapore while she worked alone in Hong Kong was difficult for everyone involved. “Once you sign a contract, you have to honor it,” she said. In recent years, she has chosen to cut back on work, believing that constantly working from morning until late at night is no longer a healthy way to live.

Although she has no plans to retire completely, Zhu said she will only take on work suitable for her age. “People can’t stop working entirely, or they’ll slowly lose motivation. But at this stage of life, I don’t want stressful jobs anymore. Doing less doesn’t mean life ends — it just means living better.”