Famous China painter, 87, welcomes son with wife, 37, amid US$280 million theft rumour
Fan has entrusted wife with responsibility of managing all family matters, asserting that others should not interfere in their affairs
Fan Zeng, one of the most valuable contemporary painters in China, recently announced the birth of his only biological son while severing ties with his other children, once again bringing family disputes into the public eye.
At 87 years old, Fan is celebrated for his remarkable artistry, with his works generating sales exceeding four billion yuan (US$567 million) between 2008 and 2024, as reported by news portal QQ.com.
At least 10 of his paintings have fetched over 10 million yuan at auction. Notably, a piece created by Fan in 1991 sold for 18.4 million yuan at a Beijing auction in 2011.
In addition to his painting prowess, Fan is a highly regarded calligrapher, with his calligraphy priced around 200,000 yuan (US$28,000) per 0.11 square metre.
In recent years, Fan has been a focal point of public interest. In April last year, he garnered significant attention for marrying Xu Meng, who is 50 years his junior.