The widow of the late Chinese singer Liu Huan, Lu Lu, released an extensive public letter on November 12, confirming that Liu Huan was buried in Beijing that same day. In her statement, she disclosed for the first time that Liu Huan had been battling bladder cancer for many years, contrary to public speculation suggesting he suffered from avascular necrosis of the femoral head, often referred to as “non-deadly cancer.” The direct cause of death, according to the medical certificate, was identified as “septic shock.”
In the heartfelt letter, Lu Lu recounted that in September 2012, shortly after returning to Beijing from recording the first season of “The Voice of China,” Liu Huan was diagnosed with early-stage bladder carcinoma in situ during a routine health check. The doctors had recommended a bladder removal surgery, but Liu Huan declined, famously stating that he would rather die than live with a urinary bag. Despite repeated encouragement from his family, he insisted on pursuing conservative treatment and tried to live as normally as possible.
Lu Lu took particular care to clarify that the widespread belief that Liu Huan had been suffering from avascular necrosis for over a decade was a mere rumor. The real adversary he fought against was bladder cancer.
On September 1, 2026, Liu Huan was admitted to the emergency room in Shanghai due to severe diarrhea and was subsequently hospitalized. CT scans performed during his hospital stay indicated that following a round of Her3 treatment, the metastasis in his lungs and lymph nodes had shrunk, giving his family a glimmer of hope that they could contain the cancer. Unfortunately, the diarrhea was later diagnosed as bacterial enteritis combined with autoimmune enteritis, worsening his condition due to increased infection. By the morning of September 20, he had developed a high fever, and his health deteriorated rapidly, leading to his passing at midnight on September 22, despite efforts to save him.
In her letter, Lu Lu disclosed that the medical certificate listed the main cause of Liu Huan’s death as “septic shock.”
Liu Huan passed away on September 25, 2026, at the age of 63. In accordance with his wishes, his memorial was conducted simply, without a body farewell ceremony or commemorative event, and he was interred in Beijing on November 12.
The news of Liu Huan’s death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Many insiders mentioned that he was known for his fondness for alcohol and had a reputation for having an impressive drinking capacity. His love for drinking, especially during his youth, had become the source of many anecdotes within the industry, raising occasional concerns about his health.
On August 8, 2008, Liu Huan performed the Olympic theme song “You and Me” alongside British singer Sarah Brightman. However, following his rise to fame, his frequent public appearances for the Communist Party had sparked debates about his political affiliations. Independent music critics have characterized his music as heavily infused with the “system” or “main melody,” and suggested that he played a role as a spokesperson for official ideology. In response, Lu Lu denied these accusations, labeling them as significant injustices.
In 2009, Liu Huan was diagnosed with severe avascular necrosis, commonly referred to as “non-deadly cancer,” and underwent surgery that year. There were rumors claiming that his condition was a result of excessive drinking, leading Lu Lu to clarify that his leg injury was from an accident in 2004.
Additionally, Chinese media reported that Liu Huan had suffered a heart attack while competing on the Hunan Television show “Singer” on April 14, 2019. At that critical moment, he quickly took out a prepared heart-saving pill and managed to save his own life with shaky hands.
After Liu Huan’s passing, media reports highlighted that despite a history of heavy drinking in his younger years, he had significantly reduced his alcohol intake or even quit drinking entirely as he aged and encountered numerous health issues. Throughout his life, he faced several chronic diseases, including avascular necrosis, heart disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and fatty liver disease.