What killed Bruce Lee – triads, a jealous lover, an ancient Chinese curse or the legendary ‘touch of death’? 6 conspiracy theories explored

Jul 20 , 2021

What, or who, killed Bruce Lee continues to be a source of great debate among fans nearly five decades after the martial arts icon’s death. Photo: Handout

Bruce Lee died suddenly on July 20, 1973, aged 33 – but like Princess Diana, conspiracy theories about his true cause of death continue to rage 48 years later

Many fans blame Betty Ting Pei for giving the ‘fatal’ painkiller, while others say greedy business partners, mainland gangs and even a family curse are to blame

It has been 48 years since Bruce Lee passed away at the age of 33. To this day, Lee remains the yardstick against which all other martial arts stars – from Jackie Chan to Jet Li – are measured against. His films like Enter the Dragon and Way of the Dragon remain legendary and continue to inspire modern martial artists like Hong Kong action hero JuJu Chan.

Even now, decades on, tremendous controversy surrounds the death of Lee. In much the same way as Princess Diana’s shocking death led to many baseless conspiracy theories – it was the queen who ordered her killed, or MI6, or the CIA – so too did Lee’s untimely passing.

Members of the press attending the funeral of Bruce Lee on July 24, 1973. Photo: SCMP

Bruce Lee’s last months

What’s known for sure is that, two months before his death, Bruce Lee was suddenly hospitalised. This occurred in May 1973 when Lee collapsed while carrying out post-production work on Enter the Dragon. Debilitated by seizures and headaches, he was rushed to Hong Kong Baptist Hospital in Kowloon Tong.

Diagnosed with cerebral edema – caused when fluid builds up around the brain, resulting in increased pressure – doctors stabilised Lee’s condition quickly with mannitol. After a brief hospital stay, he left and all was deemed well. Although Lee complained of the occasional headache after being discharged, he maintained his usual strict diet and intense fitness regime.

However, the conditions that afflicted Lee in May struck him again on the day of his death, July 20, 1973.

The death of Bruce Lee

On this final, fatal occasion, Lee spent most of his last day hard at work discussing the making of Game of Death – Lee’s unfinished final film which features his iconic yellow and black jumpsuit. For most of the day he worked alongside producer and business partner Raymond Chow before the pair visited Taiwanese actress Betty Ting Pei’s home. The trio looked over the script before Chow left for dinner elsewhere.