Forever Star — Betty Pai

Written by Peter Li-Chang Kuo

(Chinese)

With white brush she paints her dreams so true,

Good tones weave colors, robes anew.

Graceful posture returns, her love still strong,

Beauty flows, her art lifts song.

Fair silhouette with books in hand,

Legendary years in brilliance stand.

With kindness warms the hearts she meets,

She spreads her wings, the world she greets.

Today marked the beginning of the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. In the afternoon, at the 10th floor of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi in Zuoying, Kaohsiung, I encountered the eternal goddess in my heart — Miss Betty Pai (Pai Chia-Li).

Fig 1: The timeless grace of Betty Pai

The exhibition “Betty Pai’s Enchanted Journey” unfolded amid a melodious atmosphere. The venue brimmed with the joy of the holiday and the aura of art. The music was perfectly matched: the airy sound of the flute intertwined with the deep resonance of the cello, composing a beautiful symphony that made the entire exhibition hall both vibrant and warm. The notes floated in the air like soft silk ribbons, gently tugging at every guest’s heartstrings.

Carried by the music, I wove my way through the crowd into the exhibition hall. Suddenly, a painting titled “Fortune Rides the Galloping Steeds” caught my attention. On the canvas, golden horses charged forward, adorned with ancient copper coins that seemed to leap upon their bodies — a vivid symbol of wealth in motion and infinite possibility. The dynamic energy of the scene stirred excitement in me.

Fig 2: “Fortune Rides the Galloping Steeds”

As I admired this work, a woman in a green jumpsuit gracefully appeared beside the painting. It was none other than my eternal super star, Miss Betty Pai. Her elegance remained unmatched — as vibrant as the galloping horses in the artwork, yet imbued with dignity and composure. Every movement radiated poise and brilliance. Time seemed to pause around her; she was exactly as I remembered from half a century ago on television, her graceful demeanor captivating every gaze.

Fig 3: The superstar appeared in green

Miss Pai’s smile was warm and natural, as though it melted the air in the room, adding both soul and brilliance to the exhibition. Her presence drew the audience closer, and many surrounded her with admiration and reverence, eager to preserve this precious moment with her. For me, it was a quiet yet profound encounter — more than an “artistic feast,” it was a cleansing of the spirit. That painting of galloping wealth, in her presence, gleamed even brighter, carrying blessings of prosperity and abundance.

The entire afternoon felt as though woven by notes of music and threads of art, where beauty and dreams converged. I am grateful that this holiday began with such fortune — to enjoy art and the charm of Betty Pai together with my beloved wife. This serene yet radiant moment will be treasured forever, like an unfading legend of beauty.

In 1977, while serving my mandatory duty at Chengkungling as part of the 26th officer, I had already led university students through intensive training and overseen new recruits. Then came an order: I was reassigned from infantry platoon leader to the political warfare section, taking up the position of “acting inspector” in the Division’s Political Warfare Office. With this change, military life suddenly became much more leisurely.

One morning, I opened the “Youth Warrior Daily” and was struck by the shocking headline: “Pai Chia-Li (Betty Pai) Decides to Marry Abroad in Indonesia.” The entire 104th Division’s officers were devastated. For days, no one could smile.

When I went home to Tainan on leave, my father pulled me aside and asked anxiously:

“Why is Pai Chia-Li marrying into Indonesia?”

The blow he felt was perhaps even greater than ours combined. Unable to speak Mandarin, he spent his idle days watching television. His favorite TV star was none other than Betty Pai. Her shows seemed to connect with him on a deeper level, needing no translation into Taiwanese.

On December 7, 1969, Taiwan Television (TTV) trial-broadcast its first in-house color television program, "All-Star Gala." It was the very first live color program in Taiwan’s history. The very first performer was Betty Pai, singing “A Rose on the Hill.” My father was so delighted he rushed from the factory to call me into the living room to listen, exclaiming:

“Pai Chia-Li is Taiwan’s finest singer, and an excellent host as well.”

Just last Monday, back in Kaohsiung, I opened YouTube and came across Wang Wei-Chung’s show “Eh? Where Was I?” where he interviewed “the most beautiful program host, Betty Pai.” He recalled how, when his mother and sister heard of her sudden marriage and retirement, they were utterly stunned — just like my father, who never got over her abrupt departure from the stage.

During the interview, Wang asked about her health and beauty regimen. He was full of anticipation, only to find that her secret was surprisingly simple: “three regular meals plus afternoon tea,” and “keeping a happy heart without exercising.” Now that I myself have reached the age of “at seventy, one follows the desires of the heart without overstepping” (Confucius), yet often skip meals and even hurt my neck from practicing, I realize I truly should learn from Betty's way of balanced living.

Miss Betty Pai first entered show business in high school after winning a singing competition. At TTV, she hosted singing programs and became the first to interview guests in English, Japanese, and French — proof of her diligence. Her title as “the most beautiful program host” was by no means an exaggeration. With her outstanding singing ability, striking looks, and refined hosting skills, she perfectly embodied TTV’s vision for launching color television, chosen as the very first performer to inaugurate Taiwan’s historic color broadcast with “A Rose on the Hill.” This role was both symbolic and pioneering.

At today’s “Betty Pai's Enchanted Journey” exhibition, she mentioned that each of her paintings is like “a love letter” — carrying positive energy and emotions, encouraging people to see life’s beauty and stop dwelling on worries. She advised the audience: “Treasure every moment by doing things that bring joy.” When Wang Wei-Chung teasingly asked whether anyone had been pursuing her lately, she smiled sweetly: her friends are mostly paired off, but if a single friend wished to court her, she certainly would not refuse.

Fig 4: A serious woman is the most beautiful

After living in Indonesia for 41 years, Betty Pai returned to Taiwan in January 2020, publishing her memoir “Betty Pai: A Retrospective” and planning art exhibitions and charity projects. Today, she has released a new book, “Affection for Huang Shuang-An” — a memoir dedicated to her late husband, recounting his entrepreneurial journey, his humility and integrity, and the deep marital bond they shared for more than four decades.

The book not only chronicles Huang Shuang-An’s hardships and achievements in Indonesian business, but also offers intimate glimpses of their shared life, mutual support, and devotion. Through her words, Betty Pai depicts her husband as gentle, loyal, reliable, and energetic, expressing her admiration and love. At the same time, the book reflects their nearly half-century of marriage and his extraordinary life path.

From October 3–12, 2025, Betty Pai is holding her “Betty Pai's Enchanted Journey (Beautiful Legend)” exhibition at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi in Zuoying, Kaohsiung — an event of special significance. Back then, at the height of her career, she made the courageous choice to withdraw from the spotlight and marry abroad in Bogor, Indonesia. Now, as an artist, she continues to thrive, exhibiting over 70 works spanning more than 40 years, including never-before-seen pieces such as “Fortune Gallops In” (Fortune Rides the Galloping Steeds), “Red Fish Series,” and “Money Tree of Prosperity.” These works showcase her unique blend of Eastern and Western artistic vocabularies. This exhibition is not only a testament to her enduring passion and creativity, but also a living record of her lifelong devotion to art.

In the 1960-1970s, she was one of the most celebrated hosts in the Chinese-speaking world, hailed as “the most beautiful and talented TV host.” Today, she shines in new roles as artist and philanthropist, continuing to bring positive energy and warmth to society. This exhibition symbolizes the crossing of two great stages in her life — from performing arts to fine arts — and highlights her spirit of innovation and self-fulfillment. To her audience, each painting feels like seeing her in person, carrying the same beauty and vitality that defined her legendary career.

There is also a personal resonance: in 1994, APEC was held in Bogor, Indonesia. Though I could not attend for many reasons to miss a chance of meeting Betty Pai in Bogor, but our proposal for a “Multilateral Trading System” actually was adopted as the “Bogor Goal.” By 2020, it had been realized, with its cashless transaction system alone reaching “USD 36 trillion” annually, providing a vital lifeline during the pandemic, helping 1.5 billion people earn income from home.

And now, how fortunate I am to meet, here in Zuoying, the eternal goddess of my youth. This exhibition is not only a milestone in her artistic career but also a cultural and social landmark, embodying her ageless elegance, commitment to charity, and the timeless “beautiful legend” of Betty Pai (Pai Chia-Li).

Peter Li-Chang Kuo, the author created Taiwan's Precision Industry in his early years. Peter was a representative of the APEC CEO Summit and an expert in the third sector. He advocated "anti-corruption (AC)/cashless/e-commerce (E-Com)/ICT/IPR/IIA-TES / Micro-Business (MB)…and etc." to win the international bills and regulations.