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
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.
