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My Grandma Didn’t Let Me See Her Photo Album Before She Passed, And Only Now Did I Find Out About Her Illustrious Life
My grandma passed 3 months ago in Feb, age 93, of natural causes. I spent a lot of time scanning photos she left behind for her funeral and scanned more over quarantine.
My grandma, 梁萍 (Leung Ping / Teresa Leung; sometimes "Liang" instead) was a prominent "shidaiqu" pop singer under EMI/Pathé in Shanghai, who grew up in and witnessed hardships during the Chinese Civil War, Sino-Japanese War/WW2 and Communist Revolution. Upon the latter, shidaiqu was banned, deemed "Yellow Music" (in Chinese, "yellow", 黄, is a pun for "pornographic"). She fled to and continued singing in Hong Kong, then Singapore, before mostly retiring in San Francisco.
She was very private of these photos—I'd never seen them before she passed. My aunt reflected how she once asked her if she could look at them, and she smirked, "You can look at them when I go."
Here's a playlist of her music.
This is a condensed version, so you can visit my original Facebook album to see more.
More info: Facebook
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Photo Model, Around 50s
Final score:
214points
Russell Ellwardt 5 years ago
And what a beautiful pure voice. Folks, check out the playlist linked in the intro.
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Thank you very much for pointing that out. I am listening to her singing Chinese jazz from 1946 right now! It adds another dimension.
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Kimberly Cross 5 years ago
Your grandma is f*****g FABULOUS!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing these - what a rich history indeede!
sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago
She is gorgeous, I should have said, she was ! she looks stunning !!!
Janice Chainey 5 years ago
Such a beautiful Lady, I definitely would have looked up to her as I was growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Janice Burns Chainey.
Photos are mostly focused on the 1940s, 50s (most prominent) and 60s, with a bit into modern times; and focused on her career, with a little bit of her personal life.
RELATED:
#2
With Elizabeth Taylor, Mike Todd, And Run Run Shaw
w/ Run Run Shaw (Shaw Bros.), Elizabeth Taylor and her husband Mike Todd (who'd pass away only 4 months later in a plane accident). Singapore, November 1957.
She was asked by Shaw to be a representative of the Singaporean entertainment industry to greet Taylor.
Final score:
204points
Purbasha Banai 4 years ago
I feel like I saw her somewhere. Like in a famous western based movie or ad or MV. Sooo familiar with the face. Ugh. This is going to keep me up for a while.
sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago
Mom looks beautiful, she would have been pleased to meet Taylor !!!
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Of course she is. She is a pro and she is working when the photo is taken.
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Sandra Givens 5 years ago
Why, is that something YOU would do? Fake a picture? Because she was an internationally known singer who was photographed with other well-known people.
Load More Replies... #3
In Her Wedding Gown
Final score:
204points
Jolee Hang 5 years ago
Are you kidding me? You could fit, like, fifteen babies.
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I originally shared these on Facebook to an overwhelmingly positive response and figured the Bored Panda community might appreciate a look too, into the past of times gone by.
#4
A Proud Mama With My Mom!
Final score:
197points
Affendi Hamzah 5 years ago
You grandmah is a famois actreess i remember her facr..at billboard in cinema and Movie shows in tele
Raylene Feather 5 years ago
She looks peaceful while still lovely. She literally glows as a mother. ♡
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
What a smile. That is a feeling of genuine and deeply felt happiness.
#5
With Her Mom, My Great-Grandma
Final score:
197points
Katie and Jared Coates 5 years ago
It's just a picture of two women. Why does it make me feel so much?
Katie and Jared Coates 5 years ago
(And I mean that in the best possible way. It is a wonderful photo)
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Allen John 5 years ago
This photo here, it is heart breaking. The great grandmother very conservative, by her pose and gesture. She must have gone through hell
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Women of her generation were taught from an early age to be quiet and unassuming unless they were the daughters of very prominent families. All over the so-called western world too, of course, not only in China. And, besides that, she may simply have been shy.
Load More Replies... This is a condensed version, so you can visit my original Facebook album to see more.
#6
Obligatory Selfie, Nye 2013. We Miss You!
Final score:
191points
Cheyanne Marcell 5 years ago
Truly is the face of a woman who lived her life to the fullest! Happiness and love just seem to radiate off of her. What a beautiful life <3
#7
All Styled-Up
Final score:
191points
#8
Beautiful Black Dress
Final score:
185points
Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
She and Audrey Hepburn so strongly resemble each other. Amazing she escaped the Mao regime and flourished here.
#9
With Marian Anderson
w/ Marian Anderson, one of the most important African-American singers who helped break many racial barriers. 1957.
Final score:
183points
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
What an incredible photograph and memory! Your grandmother met some amazing people!
SoozeeQ 5 years ago
Wow! She must have had so many interesting stories to tell (even if she chose not to share them). BTW, apparently, there's a new documentary coming out, about Marian Anderson. https://www.charlestonchronicle.net/2020/05/14/new-documentary-on-singer-and-civil-rights-icon-marian-anderson-in-production/
Load More Replies... Janice Chainey 5 years ago
My good parents were born in San Francisco, 1898 and 1900. I am so proud to say, They loved all people. I remember my mom telling me about Marian Anderson coming to town. And I'm further proud to say that they had always loved all peoples. I have always been a very fortunate and loving person because of my roots and upbringing. Thank you Robert Donahue Burns and Hazel May Geary. And thank you Johnny Quan for sharing these wonderful photos.
#10
In A Cool Background
Final score:
172points
Laura Lawson 5 years ago
And wearing pants! Very risqué for that point in time but wow, she wears them well!
Teresa Groth 5 years ago
The outfit is a great style of clothing, and the background is beautiful!
#11
A Candid Photo
Final score:
171points
#12
She Still Looks Beautiful
Final score:
167points
#13
Posing With A Bike
Final score:
161points
Bernard D'Silva 5 years ago
Yes, it is an Royal Enfield registered in the State of Perak, Malaya (now Malaysia) . Early 1950s.
Load More Replies... #14
Heyday
Final score:
160points
Caroline Driver 5 years ago
I'd love to know the colours. Maybe gold, chartreuse?
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Tanya Martinez Reese 5 years ago
Wow! I love this one. It’s too bad you she didn’t go through and tell a bit about each photograph. I’m sure that goes without saying though. She was a beautiful woman.
#15
Looks Like A Shot From A Movie
Final score:
159points
Kenny Kulbiski 5 years ago
Yep! I'm thinking elegant undercover agents, midnight rendezvous, narrow escapes, and high adventures. To much noir on TMC probably.
Agent K 5 years ago
Truth is stranger than fiction, and you're probably right! During WWII My grandfather was in military intelligence (precursor to the CIA), and he told me of submarines surfacing off Naples in the middle of the night and double agents who "fell" out of DC-3 over the middle of the Atlantic...
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#16
A Watercolor Painting Of My Grandma In '89, Which Hanged In The Hallway Of Her House
Final score:
157points
Tanya Martinez Reese 5 years ago
You’re correct. Hanged is used in reference to people, but pictures, stockings, and coats are hung.
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#17
I'm Guessing This Was A Broadcasted Live Performance On Radio Malaya
Malaya is a former name of Malaysia, that Singapore was part of until 1965... well, basically. The 50s and 60s were a crazy time between the UK, Malaysia, and Singapore).
Final score:
156points
#18
In Malaya, In Kedazaan-Dusun Tribe Clothing
Final score:
151points
Melania 5 years ago
Kadazan-Dusun is a Native Tribe of North Borneo, specifically Sabah, Malaysia (formerly, Malaya).This is a very unique combination of a different district traditional costume namely Penampang (the sleveless and long skirt) and Papar ( the white inner shirt and hat/siung). I am proud to see our traditional costume on Bored Panda!
Stephanie Choong 5 years ago
It's properly spelled Kadazan-Dusun, and it's in the Borneo part of Malaya (Now Malaysia) :)
#19
With My Aunt
Final score:
148points
Tanya Martinez Reese 5 years ago
She’s the perfect example of femininity. Just beautiful. I love the proud mom look. That’s pure love.
Fred and George Weasley 5 years ago
it would be so much more amazing if these photos were colourised (i know its probably quite a bit of time, money and effort though)
#20
Beer Ad
Advertisement for German beer, Beck's. Was told that "Kunchi" is Malaysian for "key".
Final score:
144points
Steffi Lowin 5 years ago
This is my hometown beer. The key is Our city's symbol, thats the connection
Purbasha Banai 4 years ago
Don't know about the ad, but the traditional cheongsam dress is known for its tight fit and a compartively high slit.
Load More Replies... Laura Lawson 5 years ago
That's a whole lotta thigh showing & she rocks it! Still manages to look wholesome at the same time.
#21
Another Newspaper Clipping, Competing For Miss Hong Kong
Final score:
141points
David Wong 5 years ago
In the old times, Chinese characters in newspaper are read from right to left.
#22
With Yao Lee (I Believe That Is)
I speculate that may be Yao Lee by my grandma. Yao Lee was an important singer of shidaiqu, one of the "Seven Great Singing Stars" of Shanghai, and helped my grandma's singing career. The two of them would sing together over the radio.
You may have heard her music recently in the film, "Crazy Rich Asians."
Final score:
132points
Richard Tay 5 years ago
The lady on the left is not Yao Li. I know the were great friends, and had the honour of having dinner with both ladies in Hong Kong in 1992.
Jennifer Crompton 5 years ago
She looks a lot like Yao Li and it would make total sense that they would know each other
#23
A 1967 Release, I Believe
Final score:
131points
#24
40s-50s
Final score:
131points
#25
Another Obligatory Selfie
Final score:
124points
TurquoiseTzarina 3 years ago
I have photos from late 40's and 50's that have that color quality.
Load More Replies... Kristina Thomas 5 years ago
That's not a selfie. This is old enough people didn't do selfies. They asked someone to take a photo of them.
#26
On A Bicycle
Final score:
122points
Jolee Hang 5 years ago
Who rides a bike like that with two inch white heels, a nice white top, and a skirt that long? Crazy woman!
#27
Concert
Final score:
119points
Richard Tay 5 years ago
I think this clam backdrop is the Cathay hotel nightclub restaurant in Singapore. It was very grand and they only had the top performers work there and you had to sing in English too.
#28
Still Performing In The 70s!
Final score:
113points
sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago
With such a full, and busy life, with a husband and child !!!
#29
Broadcasting Ad
Broadcasting ad, sponsored by a multivitamins company and some good ol' Danish beer.
Final score:
111points
Richard Chang 4 years ago
丽的呼声（Redifusion）was the cable radio service in Malaya/Malaysia and Singapore
Kristina Thomas 5 years ago
Funny ad. They're clearly putting her in to attract eyes, but I can't figure out why in the photo she seems to be holding onto a vine.
#30
Concert
Final score:
111points
#31
Looks Like A Show
Final score:
107points
Amelia Ratfire 5 years ago
Oh it have been Gypsy. It was about the famous stripper who was on a burlesque show but did not take her clothes off. Based on the true story. Its a wonderful musical and covered several times intro he movies! Yes looks like I may be a lice production of the musical. If it is? She is singing ':Let Me Entertain You'. Prince loved musical theatre~. One of the character in show was a stripper called Miss Electra who used a lighted costume. When he met the woman we now know as Carmen Electra, he renamed her after that character. I miss Prince! He has both knees and both hips replace as he was jumping off towers of speakers with platform shoes to the stage. Old guys managing him and not caring what this would do to him. So his pain was real. His liver overloaded. An accidental death. He was a Jehovah's Witness by then. and very happy! Her was introduced to the Bible by Larry Graham from the Sly & Family Stone Fame. Prince will be back in a world far better than this one. www.jw.org
#32
Showing Off A Vinyl Cabinet
Final score:
107points
Whawhawhatsis 5 years ago
She had such beautiful silk dresses, and looked so beautiful in them!
#33
Another Take From The Celebrity Party
Final score:
104points
logical fallacy 5 years ago
Elizabeth Taylor did have a thing for bling, didn't she. Just look at those earrings.
#34
In Her Youth
Final score:
101points
#35
With Carrie Koo Mei
I am not sure who that is to picture-left, but at the right is 顧媚 (Gu Mei / Carrie Koo Mei), another prominent shidaiqu singer, who also starred in a few Shaw Bros. films, before retiring to Vancouver to become a painter.
Final score:
99points
#36
Not Sure If She's At Recording Studio Or On Radio
Final score:
93points
Teresa Groth 5 years ago
I am sure you now have a lot too tell your grandchildren when it comes time!
#37
Singing Or Talking To An Auditorium
Final score:
91points
Donna Lucille 5 years ago
Your grandmother was way ahead of her time! You must be so proud of her!
#38
Another Newspaper Clipping
Final score:
91points
#39
Singing On Radio Rediffusion In Hong Kong
Final score:
90points
Vicki Napoleon 5 years ago
You must be so proud of her! Did you have any idea that she was so talented and popular? She is so beautiful in all of these photo's ~ thank you so much for sharing all of them with us!! She was a remarkable woman!
#40
Playing With The Band
Final score:
90points
#41
Writing... A Letter, Or A Song?
Final score:
86points
Amelia Ratfire 5 years ago
She was a beautiful woman! Thank you, I enjoyed your post. You will see her again in the next world. Young and beautiful again!
Gary Geracci 1 year ago
I have been stunned! what a Beautiful, Smart Woman! her Regal Bearing says it all, she had "Self" in spades and it shows.
Danny Ruiz 4 years ago
I love these kinds of posts. Primarily because we see our elders as they are now. Not knowing that in their younger days they were Princesses and warriors.
Jerry Balbuena 4 years ago
Hi. I appreciate you for taking all these memories back to life. I grew up with my grandparents too. I should have thought of doing the same thing you did. But it is too late for me now. I read your post here and looked at the photos of your beloved, beautiful grandma with tears. Thank you Johnny.
Jennifer Powell 4 years ago
Wonderful photos but it would be so great to have heard her voice did you not have an audio clip?
Jennifer Powell 4 years ago
Wonderful photos but it would have been wonderful to have heard her sing, did you not have an audio clip you could have posted.
In a captivating look at the integration of technology and personal history, it's fascinating to see how VR technology can bring moments from the past to life.
Just as virtual reality projects allowed one individual to experience a unique emotional connection with the unborn, sharing historic photographs can evoke nostalgia and preserve the legacy of loved ones.
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What do you think ?
satan hears a scream 5 years ago (edited)
She looked so much like my late grandma it made me cry because they both exuded the same confidence and happiness. We had strong women to look up to :')
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
These are all so incredibly beautiful. What an amazing treasure-trove of incredible memories. Your grandmother sounds like an amazing women. It really makes me miss my grandmothers.
Barbara Simms 5 years ago
Thank you so much for sharing these lovely pictures. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Gipsy Kings fan 5 years ago
Thanks for sharing these photos of your beautiful grandma! I'd like to see more features like this.
Roadkill The Brave 5 years ago
It's fun to find all this stuff and be able to see it now. A little sad that she didn't want to share it with everyone while she was alive, but I can understand that especially if she was as private as you were saying.
Frances Emanuel 5 years ago
Thank you for sharing these with us. What an amazing woman, living through the turmoil of war and political upheaval with such grace and beauty. You can see it shining through each photo.
Felicia Dale 5 years ago
And what a lovely, effortless way of singing! <3
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satan hears a scream 5 years ago (edited)
She looked so much like my late grandma it made me cry because they both exuded the same confidence and happiness. We had strong women to look up to :')
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
These are all so incredibly beautiful. What an amazing treasure-trove of incredible memories. Your grandmother sounds like an amazing women. It really makes me miss my grandmothers.
Barbara Simms 5 years ago
Thank you so much for sharing these lovely pictures. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Gipsy Kings fan 5 years ago
Thanks for sharing these photos of your beautiful grandma! I'd like to see more features like this.
Roadkill The Brave 5 years ago
It's fun to find all this stuff and be able to see it now. A little sad that she didn't want to share it with everyone while she was alive, but I can understand that especially if she was as private as you were saying.
Frances Emanuel 5 years ago
Thank you for sharing these with us. What an amazing woman, living through the turmoil of war and political upheaval with such grace and beauty. You can see it shining through each photo.
Felicia Dale 5 years ago
And what a lovely, effortless way of singing! <3
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