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Lau and Chu’s relationship has drawn renewed attention after film producer Tiffany Chen, wife of Hong Kong entertainment tycoon Charles Heung, mentioned it during a livestream on Jan. 28. Chen said Lau began dating Chu in the late 1980s but kept the relationship secret for multiple reasons. At the time, his career was rapidly ascending, and he had also become a target of triad gangs that pressured him to take on film projects demanded by crime bosses.

In the 1990s, Lau and Chu began living together. At the time, Lau was frequently trailed by fans, many of whom gathered outside his home. To avoid attracting attention, the couple never traveled in the same car. Chen said Chu would sometimes hide under a car seat, covering herself with a mat, to prevent being seen and exposing their cohabitation. Chen described Chu during that period as “deeply pitiful.”

In 1999, a Hong Kong magazine published photos of Chu and a domestic helper leaving Lau’s home, bringing their relationship into the public eye. Despite widespread speculation, Lau did not confirm the romance. Chen said Chu preferred to avoid public attention and asked Lau to remain silent.

In late 2001, Lau acknowledged during a radio program that he had someone he loved and hoped to marry and have children with. When pressed on her identity, he replied: “I’ll only reveal it if she’s not angry.”

The couple secretly registered their marriage in 2008. Since then, they have appeared together in public only a handful of times, all in connection with funerals for close family members or colleagues.

Chu, 60, comes from a wealthy family in Malaysia. According to the recollections of a reporter from Newtide magazine, Chu and her sisters were known in their late teens and early 20s for their stylish appearance and frequent participation in regional beauty contests.

“The Chu sisters lived relaxed and comfortable lives,” the source said. “Coming from a wealthy family, they never had to worry about work. Carol Chu also did fashion magazine photo shoots and was a regular presence at high-society events.”

After falling in love with Lau, Chu gradually withdrew from public life, no longer pursuing fame or elite social gatherings.

From Lau’s perspective, in a rare discussion of his family life on the talk show “A Date with Luyu” in 2022, he said that once he decided to spend his life with someone, he should not hurt that person or cause them pain.

The superstar has described loyalty as his greatest strength, saying he is fully devoted to his wife. He has also admitted to being unromantic, expressing affection more through actions than words.

The couple occasionally disagrees, Lau said, but they have never raised their voices at each other. Instead, they wait until emotions settle, write down their thoughts, and exchange notes.

Lau has also joked that he is “afraid of his wife.” He has avoided alcohol for many years and said he is curious about what it feels like to be drunk, explaining that he refrains from drinking because he fears Chu would scold him. The couple follows a vegetarian diet.

The actor has acknowledged the pressure Chu has endured as his partner. His demanding career keeps him constantly traveling, leaving limited time for family. Even so, Chu has never complained and has quietly supported his personal and professional development. Lau once said: “My wife loves me more than I love myself.”

The longest period Lau spent continuously by Chu’s side was after a serious horse-riding accident in Thailand in January 2017. He was thrown from a horse, suffered spinal injuries, and took more than six months to recover. During that time, Lau said he felt guilty for causing his wife worry and hardship. After his health stabilized, he discarded items associated with the accident, fearing they would upset her.

Born in Hong Kong, Lau is the fourth of six siblings. In 1980, he enrolled in TVB’s acting training program, launching his career. He rose to fame through television series such as “The Return of the Condor Heroes” and “The Duke of Mount Deer,” before shifting his focus to film in the 1990s. He later became one of Hong Kong’s “Four Heavenly Kings” alongside Jacky Cheung, Aaron Kwok, and Leon Lai.

Now 65, Lau remains active as an actor, singer, and film producer.