Faye Leung (1931 or 1932 – 1 November 2024) was a Canadian businesswoman, best known for her involvement in the scandal that brought down the British Columbia government of Bill Vander Zalm in 1991 surrounding the sale of Fantasy Gardens. Raised in Vancouver and Victoria Chinatowns, she and her husband Dean were credited with helping to "prevent the destruction of Chinatown when they opposed a freeway going through the historic district."[1]
Faye Leung | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1931 or 1932 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
| Died | (aged 92) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Spouse | Dean Leung |
Later, Leung "brokered the deal in which Vander Zalm, while in office, sold Fantasy Gardens World" to Tan Yu.[2] "That sale led to Vander Zalm's breach of trust criminal trial in 1992."[2][3]
The "ever-colourful"[3] Leung was noted for "a wardrobe containing several hundred flamboyant hats and a habit of delivering high-speed, high-pitched, high-volume monologues."[4] In her autobiography The Hat Lady Sings, she claimed that Vander Zalm still owed her 1.6 million dollars.[5][6]
Leung died in Vancouver on 1 November 2024, at the age of 92.[7] A book about Dean and Faye Leung, on which she collaborated with Christopher Best, was published in 2020. [8]
References
edit- ^ "Photos: Chinese New Year parade in Vancouver | Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly". The Georgia Straight. 22 February 2015.
- ^ a b "Ex-premier's legacy gone to seed" – via The Globe and Mail.
- ^ a b Hopkins, Michelle. "Fantasy Faye laps limelight". Richmond News.
- ^ Barrett, Tom (14 May 2013). "The Premier Who Was a Reporter's 'Fantasy'". The Tyee.
- ^ "Faye Leung is ready to rumble" – via PressReader.
- ^ "Faye Leung's new book "The Hat Lady Sings! The Faye & Dean Chun Kwong Leung Story"". Asian Canadian Writers. 19 March 2018.
- ^ Bernard, Renee (7 November 2024). "Faye Leung, the 'Hat Lady,' dies at 92". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ http://www.asiancanadianwriters.ca/2018/03/faye-leung-complex-and-brilliant.html