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Chen Shu-chu

Taiwanese philanthropist (born 1950) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chen Shu-chu
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Chen Shu-chu (Chinese: 陳樹菊; pinyin: Chén Shùjú; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tân Sū-kiok; born 1950) is a retired vegetable vendor from Taiwan who is known for her charitable contributions in the fields of education, healthcare, and social welfare.

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Biography

Chen was born in Yunlin County, Taiwan, and moved to Taitung County at the age of seven. She completed her primary education at Jen-Ai Elementary School.

Philanthropy

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Following the death of her father in 1993, Chen Shu-chu donated NT$1 million to the Fo Guang Buddhist Academy. In 1997, she made a donation of NT$1 million to her former school, Jen-Ai Elementary School.[1] In 2005, she contributed NT$4.5 million to the same school for the construction of a library.[2][3]

By 2014, Chen had reportedly donated more than NT$10 million (approximately US$350,000 or £210,000).[4]

She has also supported the Christian Kids Alive International Association, contributing NT$36,000 annually to assist with the care of three children.[5]

In 2018, Chen participated in the National Day flag-raising ceremony organized by the Taitung City Government. During the event, she announced the donation of two life insurance policies to the East-based Medical Foundation of Taitung Christian Hospital and the Mackay Memorial Hospital Taitung Branch. These policies, with a combined value of NT$16 million, were designated for the establishment of the "Ms. Chen Shu-chu Medical Fund for Poor and Cancer Patients" and the "Ms. Chen Shu-chu Medical Fund for Charities", to be disbursed posthumously to support patients with financial need.[6]

In 2021, she donated NT$15 million in memory of her mother to establish a fund providing financial assistance to pregnant women and scholarships for children who lost their mothers during childbirth.[6]

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Personal life

Chen Shu-chu is a Buddhist and a vegetarian.[4] She has never married.[4][7]

In 2018, Chen Shu-chu retired after recovering from appendicitis and moved to Kaohsiung.[8]

Book

Sensational Kindness is a 2011 biography of Chen Shu-chu written by Liu Yung-yi.[7]

Accolades

She was selected as one of the Time 100 for 2010 in the heroes category.[9] She was also one of the 48 heroes of philanthropy chosen by Forbes in 2010.[10] Reader's Digest also honoured her as the winner of the 2010 Asian of the Year.[11]

In 2012, she was selected as a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award.[12] She donated her US$50,000 prize to Mackay Memorial Hospital.[4][13]

In 2018, the asteroid 278986 Chenshuchu was named after her.[14]

In 2025, National Taitung University awarded Chen an honorary doctorate.[2]

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References

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