Leslie Cheung and Daffy Tong’s epic love story: the Hong Kong icon and his partner were together for 20 years until the star’s tragic death in 2003 – but his memory lives on
- April 1 marks a tragic date in Hong Kong’s heart – the death of Canto-pop superstar legend Leslie Cheung, who took his own life at the Mandarin Oriental in 2003
- Cheung had a 20-year relationship with his boyfriend Daffy Tong, aka ‘Mr Tong’ whom he’d refer to onstage, though their romance remained low-key for most his life
April 1 holds a tragic memory in Hong Kong showbiz, as it’s the day that the talented and well-loved Canto-pop singer and actor Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing passed away. The news of his death in 2003 shocked fans and peers worldwide, but his momentous career lives on and his work and legacy continues to be celebrated today.
Years have passed since the loss of a great talent, but Cheung’s romantic partner Daffy Tong Hok-tak still pays tribute to the love of his life regularly on social media. This year marks the 19th anniversary of the death of our “Gor Gor”, so let’s revisit the love story between the duo as a way of remembering the beloved superstar.
Cheung and Tong knew each other from a young age, but the two reconnected when they met again at the Regent Hotel in 1982, according to Hong Kong media outlet HK01. It was reportedly love at first sight and the two soon became a couple, starting a relationship that spanned over two decades until the star’s death.
In the early days of the relationship, Tong was the one supporting Cheung financially. Later in interviews, Cheung would often declare his gratitude for his partner’s support.
The two were first seen together in public attending a tennis match in 1992, according to HK01. They kept their relationship quiet, but Cheung would occasionally share glimpses into his love life. He would not mention the name or gender of his partner, although most fans and the public were aware of “Mr. Tong”.
During his concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum in 1997, Cheung sang the love song The Moon Represents My Heart and dedicated it to Tong, who was in the audience. He referred him as “my good friend Mr. Tong”, saying Tong held a very important place in his life. Many would consider this moment as the first coming out of Cheung and an official recognition of their relationship.
The pair were then spotted together more frequently by the media, often being followed by paparazzi. And in an interview with Time magazine published in May 2001, Cheung officially declared that he was bisexual.
According to 8 Days, the lovebirds realised they were being followed by snapping cameras, so they held hands in what has now become an iconic photo and key portrayal of their romantic relationship to the media.
Cheung and Tong were inseparable. But although Tong was supportive and loved his beau dearly, helping the superstar through his darkest days of depression, Cheung tragically took his own life on April 1, 2003.
It’s difficult to imagine the sadness Tong must have felt following the devastating news. Until now, he continues to share pictures of their epic love story on Instagram. According to Today, he once declared that he would never fall for another person in his life and has remained single to this day.
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