Chinese painter Fan Zeng, 86, happy with 50-year-younger wife

Chinese painter Fan Zeng. Photo from Fan's assistant's Weibo

According to Sohu, Fan celebrated his marriage with a gathering of close relatives and friends on April 25th, marking the first time he introduced his wife.

A person close to Xu revealed that Fan chose to marry her due to her attentive and caring nature. She is familiar with Fan’s routines in painting and calligraphy, effectively acting as an assistant to her husband.

It was disclosed by sources that Xu enjoys a luxurious lifestyle, receiving gifts from Fan including a Ferrari car and Hermès bags, among other high-end items.

Since they announced their marriage, Fan and Xu have faced mixed reactions on social media. Thousands of comments have criticized Xu, labeling her "materialistic" for marrying an older man.

Conversely, others have stated that "any love that does not violate ethics or law deserves to be blessed."

Last month, Fan announced via Weibo that he had completed the marriage registration with Xu.

He shared that after the death of his previous wife Zhang Guiyun in 2021, he suffered a minor stroke that temporarily stopped him from painting. Xu’s dedication helped nurse him back to health and encouraged him to resume his artistic activities in painting and calligraphy, assisting in his physical and mental recovery.

He further noted that he and Xu share a deep connection and have committed to spending their lives together.

Fan is recognized as a "master" in the fields of calligraphy and painting within China, holding prestigious positions such as vice president at the China Artists Association and vice president at the Chinese Calligraphers Association.

His artwork has been featured in exhibitions in museums across Japan and the U.K., and several of his pieces have fetched millions of dollars at auctions.

Fan’s first marriage was to a poetess, followed by a marriage to a painter. He met his third wife, who was married to a patron of his at the time, while he was still married to his second wife. Both ended their previous marriages to be with each other.