Age, Biography and Wiki

Sylvia Wu (Cheng Ching-yü (鄭鏡宇)) was born on 24 October, 1915 in Jiujiang, China, is a Chinese-American restaurateur and cookbook author (1915–2022). Discover Sylvia Wu's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 106 years old?

Popular As Cheng Ching-yü (鄭鏡宇)
Occupation Restaurateur, philanthropist, cookbook writer
Age 106 years old
Zodiac Sign Scorpio
Born 24 October 1915
Birthday 24 October
Birthplace Jiujiang, China
Date of death 29 September, 2022
Died Place N/A
Nationality China

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 24 October. She is a member of famous author with the age 106 years old group.

Sylvia Wu Height, Weight & Measurements

At 106 years old, Sylvia Wu height not available right now. We will update Sylvia Wu's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Sylvia Wu's Husband?

Her husband is King Yan Wu (d. 2011)

Family
Parents Not Available
Husband King Yan Wu (d. 2011)
Sibling Not Available
Children 3; including George H. Wu

Sylvia Wu Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Sylvia Wu worth at the age of 106 years old? Sylvia Wu’s income source is mostly from being a successful author. She is from China. We have estimated Sylvia Wu's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income author

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Timeline

1915

Sylvia Wu (née Cheng; ; October 24, 1915 – September 29, 2022) was a Chinese-American restaurateur, philanthropist, and cookbook writer.

Wu was born October 24, 1915, in Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China.

Her parents died when she was young and she was raised by her paternal grandfather, a well-to-do man who owned a department store and a bank.

They later moved to Shanghai and then Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong she helped to raise funds for the relief of Chinese people in Japanese-occupied China.

In the process she met King Yan Wu (伍競仁 Wǔ Jìngrén), whose grandfather and father were high officials in the Republic of China.

1944

In 1944, she immigrated by herself to New York City, although she had no friends or family there.

She enrolled in Teachers College at Columbia University.

At Columbia, she again encountered King Yan Wu, who by then had earned a graduate engineering degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

They married and had three children, including lawyer Patrick Wu and judge George H. Wu.

1959

She ran Madame Wu's Garden on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles from 1959 to 1998.

She later briefly opened Madame Wu's Asian Bistro & Sushi.

Wu opened Madame Wu's Garden in 1959, when she was 44 with her children away at boarding school.

The restaurant was on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, California.

Her goal was to serve authentic Chinese food instead of the Americanized, Chop Suey–style dishes which were then served in most Chinese restaurants.

The restaurant was small, seating only 50 people.

But it was an instant hit and became popular with many Hollywood celebrities.

Frequent guests included Mae West, Gregory Peck, Paul Newman, Frank Sinatra, Jane Fonda, and Princess Grace of Monaco, whose favorite was Peking duck.

Cary Grant taught Wu how to make shredded chicken salad, and she added it to the menu.

She said that the salad had been suggested by Grant but the final recipe was based on a dish that she remembered eating in Shanghai.

1968

In 1968, she moved to a larger space which could seat 300 guests.

It featured a koi pond and a waterfall.

The pagoda-styled building included four dining rooms, a VIP room, and a crimson rotunda with a garden, including a tall pine tree jutting through the roof.

She welcomed guests at the entrance, elegantly clad in floor-length silk dresses.

1973

She wrote Madame Wu's Art of Chinese Cooking in 1973.

Wu wrote a cookbook, Madame Wu's Art of Chinese Cooking, in 1973.

1979

Their daughter Loretta Wu died of cancer in 1979.

1985

In 1985, she was named Los Angeles Restaurateur of the Year—the first woman in 70 years to receive that honor—and in 1990 she was named Woman of the Year by the City of Hope cancer hospital in honor of her philanthropy.

1998

After closing Madame Wu's Garden in 1998, she opened the short-lived Madame Wu's Asian Bistro & Sushi.

2001

In 2001 she published Madame Wu's Garden: A Pictorial History of a Celebrated Landmark.

2011

Her husband died in 2011 after 67 years of marriage.

She died at age 106 on September 29, 2022.