Chinese Artist Fan Zeng, 87, Welcomes Son with 37-Year-Old Spouse

87-year-old Chinese painter Fan Zeng has announced that his fourth wife Xu Meng, 37, has given birth to his first son. The news has sparked a mix of excitement and controversy within the family and among art enthusiasts.

Chinese painter Fan Zeng (L) and his wife Xu Meng. Photo from Weibo/Fan Zeng supertopic

Fan Zeng confirmed the birth on Thursday, stating that the family is happy and content. He, Xu, and their newborn have since moved out of their former villa and into a new residence. This move marks a significant shift in their lives, as they begin this new chapter together.

In the same statement, Fan declared a complete break with two of his children, Fan Xiaohui and Fan Zhongda, and their relatives. He accused them of spreading false claims in August that he had been "kidnapped and had his assets seized" by Xu, allegations he said led to her being defamed.

Fan stated that the two had acted under the guise of filial concern while deliberately sowing discord within the family, disregarding his reputation, health, and lawful interests, and endangering the safety of himself, Xu, and their child, thereby disrupting their peaceful life. He also barred Fan Xiaohui and Fan Zhongda from using his name for any artistic or commercial activities, saying he would pursue legal action if his reputation was used for exhibitions, art sales, or other commercial purposes.

"From now on, all personal and professional matters concerning me will be handled by my wife," Fan wrote. "No one else has the right to interfere."

Fan Xiaohui is Fan’s daughter with his second wife, while Fan Zhongda is his stepson from his third marriage to Zhang Guiyun. The recent estrangement highlights the complex dynamics within the family, especially following the death of Zhang Guiyun in 2021.

Fan announced his marriage to Xu in April 2024, saying that after Zhang’s death in 2021, he suffered a mild stroke and was unable to continue creating art. Xu, he said, cared for him attentively and helped him recover both physically and mentally. The two later decided to spend their lives together.

In August, Fan Xiaohui claimed her father had "gone missing," alleging that Xu had taken him away from their villa and transferred antiques and valuable paintings elsewhere, effectively seizing his assets. She did not report the matter to the police. This accusation led to further tension between the family members.

Fan's personal history is equally complex. He married his first wife, renowned poet and calligrapher Lin Hui, in 1963, but the couple divorced five years later. He then married fellow painter and former classmate Bian Baohua before later falling in love with the wife of a close friend, Zhang Guiyun, whom he married several years after her divorce.

A towering figure in contemporary Chinese art, Fan is regarded as the most valuable living painter in the country. According to China’s National Business Daily, total auction sales of his works had surpassed 2.3 billion yuan (US$320 million) as of 2024. His works are held in overseas museums, including in Japan and the U.K., and many have fetched record prices at auction. Paintings "Bamboo" and "Magpie" sold for more than 40 million yuan, while "Lingquan Daofeng" achieved 18.4 million yuan. Dozens of his other paintings have each sold for more than US$1 million.

Fan Zeng's legacy continues to grow, both in terms of his artistic contributions and the personal stories that accompany his life. As he navigates this new phase with his wife and newborn son, the world watches closely, eager to see how this chapter unfolds.