Widow of Nobel physics laureate Charles Kao Kuen tells of his battle with Alzheimer’s disease ahead of Hong Kong exhibition celebrating his life
- Gwen Kao Wong says keeping active and helping run foundation named for her husband has helped her deal with bereavement
- Husband Charles was known as ‘father of fibre optics’ and was former vice-chancellor of Chinese University
It is almost a year since Charles Kao Kuen, affectionately known as the “father of fibre optics”, died after battling Alzheimer’s disease for more than a decade. His widow and long-time carer, Gwen Kao Wong May-wan, has carved out a new life for herself.
She gets up at 7am during the week, and goes out for a run with her helper around the Chinese University campus where she still lives in the staff residence. She plays tennis twice a week and is a self-professed addict of Korean soap operas.
“When you lose a long-time partner, there is a big hole in your life,” the 84-year-old says. “You lose your appetite, you don’t want to go out. And I cried myself to sleep at night. “But eventually you will have to get on with your life. You can’t bring the person back, so make sure you do something you enjoy doing. Your friends will also look after you.”
She met Kao in London after graduation, when they worked together as engineers. They were married in 1959 in London and had a son and a daughter.