Chen Shu-chu

Chen Shu-chu
Chen Shu-Chu in 2010
Born1950 (age 74–75)
Yunlin County, Taiwan
Occupation(s)Vegetable Vendor, philanthropist
Political partyUnaffiliated
AwardsRamon Magsaysay Award (2012)

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.

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

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]

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]

References

Wikiquote has quotations related to Chen Shu-chu.
  1. ^ "Honoring Chen, Shu-chu". Taipei Times. July 28, 2012.
  2. ^ a b Lu, Tyson; Lo, James (June 8, 2025). "'Time 100' recipient gets honorary doctorate from Taitung university". Central News Agency. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  3. ^ "The 2010 TIME 100 - TIME". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Sui, Cindy (October 6, 2014). "The Taiwanese vegetable seller turned philanthropist". BBC News. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  5. ^ "Kids alive International Association at Taitung". Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  6. ^ a b {Cite web |date=2021-08-29 |title=Philanthropist gives NT$15m to help pregnant women |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2021/08/29/2003763407 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Taipei Times}
  7. ^ a b Han Cheung (August 27, 2023). "Taiwan in Time: Donating millions from a vegetable stall". Taipei Times. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  8. ^ "Philanthropist Chen Shu-chu retires: official - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. April 6, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  9. ^ Lee, Ang (April 29, 2010). "The 2010 TIME 100 - TIME". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  10. ^ "In Pictures: 48 Heroes of Philanthropy - Chen Shu-chu". Forbes. March 9, 2010. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  11. ^ "Asian of the year - The Generous Vegetable Seller". Reader's Digest. Archived from the original on December 19, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  12. ^ Sarimento, Christine Joy (July 26, 2012). "2012 Ramon Magsaysay Award winners announced". Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  13. ^ "Chen Shu-chu donates prize money to hospital". Taiwan Today. September 4, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  14. ^ Lu, Tai-cheng; Wang, Flor (September 6, 2018). "Asteroid named after Taiwanese philanthropic vendor". Taiwan News. Central News Agency. Archived from the original on September 6, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018. Alt URL
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