87-Year-Old Painter Marries Fourth Wife 50 Years His Junior
Announces Birth of Son, Cuts Ties with Previous Children Amid Family Discord
Fan Zeng, who is regarded as the greatest living Chinese calligrapher and painter, recently announced the birth of his biological son and declared that he would sever ties with his existing children, bringing ongoing family conflicts back into the spotlight. Following his marriage to Xu Meng, who is 50 years younger, and a previous kidnapping rumor incident, controversy surrounding his family relationships has reignited.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on December 16, Fan Zeng recently revealed through social media that he had a son. Fan Zeng is known to have one biological daughter and two stepchildren from his previous three marriages. The son born this time is his first biological son with his fourth wife, Xu Meng, whom he married last year.
Announcing the Birth of a Son: "Severing Ties with Other Children"
Fan Zeng stated, "My wife Xu Meng, our son, and I are building a happy family together in a new home," and added, "As I grow older, I have decided to entrust all future household affairs and daily life to my beloved wife. No one else has the right to interfere." By announcing the birth of his biological son and simultaneously declaring that he would cut off relations with his existing children, he has further fueled the controversy.
Kidnapping and Disappearance Rumors: Persistent Family Discord
Conflicts between Fan Zeng and his children have already been made public several times. In August last year, his biological daughter Xiao Hui claimed on social media that her father had been kidnapped by Xu Meng, had gone missing, and that his calligraphy and antiques had disappeared, sparking widespread controversy.
However, the next day, Fan Zeng's stepson released a photo of Fan Zeng and Xu Meng visiting an exhibition together, which put an end to the kidnapping rumors. Chinese police also stated that they had not received any reports related to a kidnapping. At the time, those close to the family explained, "This was a misunderstanding and conflict among family members that arose during a move and was blown out of proportion."
Four Marriages: Remarried to a Wife 50 Years Younger
Born in Jiangsu Province, Fan Zeng studied traditional Chinese painting at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing in the 1960s and has since established himself as a leading figure in modern Chinese calligraphy and painting. Since his first marriage in 1963, he has gone through three divorces and remarriages; his third wife, Zhang Guiyun, passed away in 2021.
His current wife, Xu Meng, previously worked as a presenter at China Traffic Radio. She met Fan Zeng through a broadcast, later became his assistant, and eventually developed a romantic relationship with him. Their marriage drew significant attention due to their 50-year age gap.
Total Artwork Sales Reach 830 Billion Won: A Master of Chinese Art
Fan Zeng is recognized as one of China’s top painters and calligraphers. From 2008 to 2024, his works achieved cumulative sales of 4 billion yuan (approximately 830 billion won), with at least 10 pieces selling for more than 10 million yuan each at auction. One piece from 1991 was sold for 18.4 million yuan at a Beijing auction in 2011.
His status as a calligrapher is also firmly established. His calligraphy works are traded at around 200,000 yuan per 0.11 square meters, and he is so influential in China that he was commissioned to write the calligraphy for a classical phrase quoted by President Xi Jinping.
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