Chinese-born Hollywood icon Cheng Pei-pei has tragically passed away at the age of 78. The actress was a household name in the entertainment industry, with accredited roles in popular films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Come Drink With Me. Following the news of her passing, many fans are curious about what happened to the veteran actress.

Below you will find all available details about the death of Cheng Pei-pei.

Pei-pei, who is widely regarded as the first female action heroine in cinema, lost her life to a neurodegenerative disease, as confirmed by her spokespeople at Echelon Talent Management, as reported by the New York Times. She was diagnosed in 2019 and has struggled with health issues since then.

Cheng Pei-pei's cause of death was a brain disorder that mimics the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The disease, unofficially called Corticobasal degeneration, effectively impairs the patient's ability to move, speak, recall memories and even swallow.