According to Chinese media outlet 163, He Qing’s family issued an obituary on December 13, announcing that the actress passed away peacefully at her home in Beijing. Her farewell ceremony is scheduled to take place at 10 AM on December 15, 2025.
A family acquaintance revealed that He Qing lived a private life after becoming ill, avoiding public interactions to shield friends and fans from seeing her in a weakened state.
Born on January 13, 1964, in Jiangshan, Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province, He Qing graduated from the Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe and entered the entertainment industry in 1983. She remains the only actress from mainland China to have appeared in TV adaptations of all four Chinese literary classics—a feat that earned her the title “China’s No.1 Historical Beauty.”
In 1984, she portrayed Lian Lian, the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Lingji, in Journey to the West. In 1988, she took on the tragic role of Qin Keqing in Dream of the Red Chamber. Her gentle and elegant portrayal of Xiao Qiao in Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1993) became one of her most iconic roles. In 1996, she captured hearts once again as the graceful courtesan Li Shishi in Water Margin.
Beyond the Four Great Classics, He Qing showcased her versatility through various genres.
With a strong foundation in acting and an unmistakable classical charm, He Qing brought to life dozens of vivid characters. Her honest, grounded acting style and effortless transitions between traditional and modern roles earned her a lasting place in viewers’ hearts—many of her portrayals remain irreplaceable icons in Chinese television history.
Sources: Ngoisao