Leslie Cheung remembered on his 16th death anniversary

Sixteen years after Hong Kong actor Leslie Cheung passed away at the age of 46, the actor is still fondly remembered and missed by those near and dear to him, as well as his fans.

Hailed as one of the best and brightest of the Hong Kong entertainment scene, Leslie was known for his acting and singing prowess, dominating both the music charts and box office rankings. However in 2003, the actor, who suffered from depression, chose to take his own life by leaping down from the 24th floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hong Kong.

Leslie’s longtime partner Daffy Tong posted a number of pictures taken together with the former star when they were younger.

“Of the many happy memories (we’ve had) together, what harm is there in chasing them with you?” Daffy wrote in his caption.

Daffy and Leslie were childhood playmates who had grown up together. However, it was only when they met once again in 1982 that sparks flew between them. At the time, Leslie had yet to make it big in the entertainment industry, while Daffy was drawing a considerable salary from his job in the finance industry. The pair often relied on each other, giving each other advice in their respective careers.

During a concert in 1997, Leslie revealed his relationship with Daffy, standing strong in an era where same-sex relationships were frowned upon. Following the reveal of their relationship, Leslie and Daffy were often hounded by the paparazzi. In one instance, even as they were chased, Leslie and Daffy continued holding hands, with Leslie raising up their entwined hands in a show of defiance against societal norms.

In interviews, Leslie has often referred to Daffy as “the most important person” in his life, apart from his mother. Following Leslie’s suicide, Daffy also took charge of Leslie’s affairs, settling much of the paperwork that had to be handled.

Photos: PBE Media

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