One Lady's Legacy
Tatler Singapore|October 2022
Betty Chen is many things: a devoted family woman, a loyal friend and a lifelong philanthropist who served as president of Singapore's Chinese Women's Association for 26 years. The nongenarian, who will turn 96 next month, imparts lessons on life and tells us how she stays young at heart
Coco Marett
One Lady's Legacy

Betty Chen has an incredible presence. She commands the room effortlessly and those in her orbit can’t seem to help but fawn over her—openly admiring everything from her immaculately coiffed hair to her infectious smile, and basking in her confident, calming aura.

She is, in every sense of the word, a true matriarch—both a mother and a powerful leader. Think a real‑life Shang Su Yi, the revered grandmother, or ah ma, in Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians. And yet, Chen is strikingly relatable.

It is lunchtime when she arrives on set for this photo shoot. While we are used to extravagant requests here at Tatler, Chen’s lunch order is refreshingly simple: an egg and avocado croissant sandwich. After lunch, she enjoys being pampered: getting her hair and make‑up done, and her nails painted in a brilliant red hue. She reveals that today is the first time in a long while—years, even—that she has left the house without make‑up.

Chen is a girls’ girl and always has been—from a youth spent in some of the world’s most prestigious girls’ schools (Raffles Girls’ School in Singapore and Methodist Ladies College in Melbourne, Australia) to spending her life surrounded by women and focused on bettering their circumstances. She has dedicated much of her life to the Chinese Women’s Association (CWA) in Singapore, for whom she has helped to raise millions of dollars over the years.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2022 من Tatler Singapore.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2022 من Tatler Singapore.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من TATLER SINGAPORE مشاهدة الكل
Old-World CHARM
Tatler Singapore

Old-World CHARM

Professional photographer and content creator Zipeng Lee takes off to Switzerland to experience some of the country’s most storied heritage hotels

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
THE World ACCORDING TO Redzepi
Tatler Singapore

THE World ACCORDING TO Redzepi

Renowned Noma chef René Redzepi and executive producer Matt Goulding unpack Apple TV's new eight-part docuseries, Omnivore, and its exploration of humanity through food

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
COURAGE OF CONVICTION
Tatler Singapore

COURAGE OF CONVICTION

Tatler speaks to Bing Chen, Prabal Gurung and Kevin Lin to discuss how their non-profit Gold House is changing the future of the Asian diaspora

time-read
8 mins  |
October 2024
INDUSTRIALI
Tatler Singapore

INDUSTRIALI

Exploring the important sustainability efforts taking place beyond obvious industries

time-read
8 mins  |
October 2024
THE BALL'S INHER COURT
Tatler Singapore

THE BALL'S INHER COURT

China's most celebrated tennis star Li Na opens up about her career, influencing young athletes and her continuous learning journey

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
Love Story
Tatler Singapore

Love Story

Set in Paris, Graff's new bridal campaign marries the timelessness of love and diamonds

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
Over the Rainbow
Tatler Singapore

Over the Rainbow

The inspirations behind Hermés creative director for jewellery Pierre Hardy's latest and gorgeously colourful high jewellery collection surprise and delight

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Twist and Turn
Tatler Singapore

Twist and Turn

Bvlgari's debut Tubogas jewellery collection reimagines a classic technique with 16 stunning creations

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
Game On
Tatler Singapore

Game On

From diamond‑set carabiner‑inspired clasps to a carbon fibre cuff, Chanel knocks it out of the park with Sport, an audacious and innovative high jewellery collection unlike any other

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
The Wrist Taker
Tatler Singapore

The Wrist Taker

Shipping scion and basketball team owner Hendi Widodo unlocks his vault of rarefied timepieces

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024