Last year, Hong Kong-based Singaporean food critic Chua Lam sparked concerns for his health after he appeared frail and weak when he graced a calligraphy exhibition in Malaysia.
The 82-year-old had just recovered from surgery after fracturing his pelvic bone and needed a wheelchair to get around.
In March last year, his wife slipped and fell at home, and when rushing to her aid, Chua Lam too fell. She passed away shortly after her fall.
In a recent interview, Chua Lam, who is regarded as one of the “four greatest talents in Hong Kong”, shared that when he began reflecting on life when he was sorting out his wife’s belongings.
He does not want to be burdened with too much and decided to give away his prized possessions such as his books, calligraphy, and antique collections.
Chua Lam also renovated his longtime home in Hong Kong, though he has not decided whether return to live there or sell it.
He now lives in a serviced apartment in Tsim Sha Tsui which boasts stunning views of Victoria Harbour, and has an eight-person entourage consisting of housekeepers and nurses to care for him round the clock.
“I have a secretary, my assistant, a nurse who comes in in the morning, and two Indonesian helpers… At night, I have another two nurses… plus a driver, eight in total,” said Chua Lam.
“Someone comes to give me a massage every night, and in the morning, there’s a physiotherapist to teach me exercises, she’s a beautiful girl.”
All this hired help doesn’t come cheap, setting him back around HK$500,000 (S$87K) a month.
Chua Lam also has his funeral arrangements planned.
His family has already bought him a columbarium niche in Singapore, though he prefers his final resting place to be in Hong Kong.
Chua Lam, who has a soft spot for Victoria Harbour, previously revealed that he would like his ashes to be scattered at sea after his death, so that he can forever remain at the harbour.
However, that’s not possible as it’s considered “dumping trash garbage into the sea” which is illegal.