Her Life in Brief
1959: Began studying under Teacher Li of the 93rd Entertainment Unit of the Air Force's Anti-aircraft Artillery, thus beginning her life as a singer.
1964: Participated in the Huang Mei Song Contest held by CTS, taking first prize with the song "Visiting Ying Tai."
1965: Enrolled in the Cheng Sheng voice training class. Won first prize at a singing competition held by the Golden Horse record company. Performed six live shows for BCC radio.
1967: Became hostess of the CTV program "Each Day One Star," marking her as a rising star.
1968: Appeared in Taipei performance halls.
1969: Began recording songs and acting in TV dramas. Invited to perform at charity concert in Singapore
1970: Played her first leading film role in Thank You Boss, and also did a promotional concert tour for the film, creating a sensation. First trip to Hong Kong to perform with the Kai Sheng Variety Troupe.
1971 : Began to tour in Southeast Asia. Selected as Hong Kong's "Bai Hua You Arts Auction Charity Queen," the youngest ever to be so named.
1972: Selected as one of the ten most popular singers in Hong Kong. Filmed Miss Music Fan with Chang Chung.
1973: Signed a contract with Polydor Records of Japan and went to Japan for training.
1974: (March) Released her first Japanese album, which was a smash hit.
1975: Won the top prize at Japan's 18th Album Awards. Won award for best new artist in Japan. Signed on with Hong Kong's Polygram Records. Released her first Love Songs of an Island Nation album.
1976: Released the number 19 selling album in Japan. First personal concert in Hong Kong.
1977: Signed a contract with Taiwan Television and began her TV show The Songs of Teresa Teng. Won a television prize in Japan.
1978: (September) Second personal concert in Hong Kong.
1979: First personal concerts in the US and Canada. Stayed in the US to study English and record an album.
1980: (July) During a concert tour of the US, performed at Lincoln Center, New York, and became the first Chinese singer to perform in The Music Center of Los Angeles (site of the Academy Awards). Teng's music penetrated the "bamboo curtain" as "Little Teng" fever spread in mainland China. In Taiwan, won Golden Bell as best woman singer. In Hong Kong, released first personal Cantonese-language album, which went platinum in a short time.
1981 : Concert tour of Southeast Asia. (April) Gave seven concerts in Hong Kong, setting a new record for consecutive concerts by a single artist. Returned to Taiwan at mid-year to perform for the armed forces, and made a two-hour "You Are at the Front" special for TTV. Received five gold records at a single time, an unprecedented feat in Hong Kong.
1982: Began preparatory work for the album Faded Feelings. At Chinese New Year, had an unprecedentedly successful concert at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, and became the first person of Chinese ancestry to sign a contract to sing there.
1983: Released Faded Feelings, whose songs are based on Tang and Song dynasty poetry. Released her second Cantonese album, Walking the Road of Life, in Hong Kong. At the end of 1983 and into 1984, held a concert tour to celebrate 15 years as a singer.
1984: Released the album I'm in Your Debt. Selected as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Young Women in the 10th year of such awards made by the ROC government.
1985: Her song "Lover" set a new record by staying at the top of the broadcast charts in Japan for ten weeks.
1987: Release of the album I Only Care About You.
1992: Release ot the album The Unforgettable Teresa Teng.
1993: Participated in the "Eternal Sweetheart" show for soldiers in Taichung, broadcast on CTS.
1994: Participated in the "Whampoa Forever" celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the military academy. This marked her fourth consecutive year of returning to Taiwan to perform for members of the armed forces.
1995: (May 8) Died of an asthma attack in Chiangmai, Thailand. Posthumously awarded the Ministry of Defense's highest honor for civilians, the Kuomintang's "Huahsia Grade 1 Medal," the Overseas Chinese Affairs' Commission's "Hua Guang Grade 1 Medal," and the presidential Paoyang Medal. Her coffin was draped with the national and Kuomintang party flags.
Source: The Great News, Teng Chang-hsi
In 1984 she was selected as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Young Women in the nation. The award was presented by the then Governor of Taiwan--and now President--Lee Teng-hui.
In 1986 Teng performed on Japan's NHK in the guise of a bride. That Teresa never married was her mother's greatest regret.
It would be no exaggeration to say that among Chinese Teng's are the most widely distributed CDs and cassettes of all.
The only TV serial in which Teng played the lead role was TTV's "Always Remember This Love." She played an unfortunate orphan girl who became romantically involved with the character played by lead actor Chiang Ming.
Fan Kuo Shih-hsi has collected a huge amount of memorabilia. (photo by Hsueh Chi-kuang)
One fan showed his devotion by collecting information about Teng's albums in a notebook.
Teresa's death left countless fans grieving. To remember her, her admirers have asked not only that postage stamps bearing her image be issued, but that a commemorative coin be minted. (photo by Yang Hai-kuang, Min Sheng Daily News)
Teresa Teng's Archives 1953-1995 Title: Teresa Teng English name: TERESA TENG Birthday: 1953.1.29. Birthplace: Hebei Province Birthplace: Yunlin County, Taiwan Height: 165 cm Blood type: O Interest: Sing, dance Favorite food: Pig Feet favorite color: Purple series Family situation: mother, three brothers, a brother (photo by Cai Sen chess)