Veteran Singapore Chinese singer Ling Xiao dies aged 75

Had he agreed to physiotherapy then, “perhaps he wouldn’t have left us so soon”, she added.

Caring for Ling for the past three years had left Jeci physically and emotionally exhausted, she admitted. But she is devastated that her brother is gone.

Jeci also told 8world that because Ling’s condition fluctuated frequently, he had to be hospitalised several times in recent years. 

During a recent hospital stay, he complained of pain in several parts of his body and was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. 

After assessing his condition, doctors found that his heart was too weak to withstand chemotherapy or other aggressive treatments, and estimated that he had six months to live.

As Ling had repeatedly expressed a desire to go home, the family made the painful decision to honour his wishes. He was discharged on Nov 25. 

Due to severe inflammation in his knees and his extreme weakness, his family could no longer take him for dialysis, which he had been undergoing since 2022. And in the approximately 10 days leading up to his death, he was unable to eat anything.

Ling made his showbiz debut in 1967 after placing second in a singing competition organised by radio station Rediffusion. With his good looks, he quickly rose to fame and recorded more than 100 Mandarin albums throughout his life.

Before falling ill, he also served for many years as a resident mentor on Mediacorp’s Golden Age Talentime. Despite being in his seventies, he was widely regarded by local audiences as an evergreen, youthful figure. 

Ling’s wake is held at Block 116A Bukit Merah Central. The funeral will take place on Wednesday.