People's Artist The Hien: A man with 4 wives, his health is currently critical, he has to use oxygen

Musician, People's Artist The Hien's full name is Lai The Hien, born in 1955 in Saigon, originally from Nam Dinh. He showed musical talent from a young age, participated in local art movements and studied at the Intermediate Vocal Music School.

Since 1980, he has been a singer of the Bong Sen Song and Dance Troupe, performing many times for audiences across the country. Recently, the news that he is in critical condition due to a serious illness has shocked the audience. Previously, he had serious symptoms, and his family took him to the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital for emergency treatment, then transferred him to the Palliative Care Department of the Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Oncology, Military Hospital 175 (Ho Chi Minh City). His wife and daughter are currently taking care of him.

On March 6, 2024, musician and singer The Hien was awarded the title of People's Artist at the 10th award ceremony held at the Hanoi Opera House. Talking about this, he shared: For me, receiving the title of People's Artist is the greatest happiness in the life of an artist. It is also a milestone for my nearly 50-year journey of being attached to art, reaching out to compatriots and soldiers across the country, from the northern border to Truong Sa, and even faraway places like Cambodia, Siem Reap...

During my youth, I immersed myself in the hard-working and difficult life of our army and people, joining them in the work of building and defending the country. Therefore, I am even more honored and proud to receive this noble title.

During his 40 years of artistic activities, The Hien has many famous songs, loved by audiences of many generations such as: Toc em tui ga, Chuyen nguoi doi doi, Hoai niem dau yeu, Doi cho trong con mua, Chuyen doi xua - Chuyen doi nay, Thanh niem thanh nien thanh van, Hat tren nong truong xanh, Dau cau muon...

He is also known as "the soldier's musician" because many of his songs are closely related to military life, such as Hat ve anh, Nhanh lan rung, Tiếng, Vo conc bien, Noi nho tu dao xa, Linh dao Truong Sa. In recent years, the musician has both composed music and been a judge in music competitions, inspiring the younger generation.

In 2023, he released a collection of 32 songs about the armed forces and 8 songs about love for the homeland, which were donated to units, officer training schools, and border guards. With his contributions to the country's music industry, in 2011, musician The Hien was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist and in March this year, he was awarded the title of People's Artist.

Talking about his composing career, musician The Hien confided to Vietnamnet: "In my entire career, I have written about 250 songs, published about 150 songs, but I have never intended to stop. Royalties - the 'pension' of freelance artists - help me live on, without bothering my children and grandchildren."

Besides his career, musician - People's Artist The Hien also had many ups and downs in his personal life. He got married for the first time at the age of 21 and had 2 children, a boy and a girl. His second wife was singer Ha Lan. Because the female singer also had 2 children, they decided not to have children. This marriage lasted 10 years and then broke up.

He married for the third time to journalist Hong Nhung, an art editor at Binh Duong Radio and Television Station, who was 27 years younger than him. However, this marriage was also short-lived. In 2020, the musician - People's Artist married for the fourth time to a woman named Kim Phuong when she was 65 years old.

Having gone through many love affairs in his life and 3 failed marriages, musician - People's Artist The Hien has never composed sad songs but is always optimistic and loves life.

He once explained this to Vietnamnet: "My music is only optimistic and full of life, not sad or lamenting. Everyone has their own worries in life, but I don't want to pour my sadness out on the listeners."

Poet Le Minh Quoc, a close friend of People's Artist The Hien, recently revealed in Ngoi Sao newspaper that the male musician has many plans to organize events to celebrate the title of People's Artist conferred by the state at the end of March and perform a music night with contemporary poets, announcing some new compositions.

At the age of 69, the male musician also has many grandchildren, some of whom want to follow in his footsteps as musicians and artists. It was thought that after many ups and downs, People's Artist The Hien could now enjoy his old age with his children and grandchildren, but recently, an incident happened again.

The latest news from friends and relatives of the People's Artist has just said that musician Thế Hiển's health has been declining rapidly since last weekend, and is currently in critical condition, requiring oxygen. Poet Lê Minh Quốc told Vnexpress that on September 18, when he heard that Thế Hiển was sick, he and some colleagues went to visit the musician at home.

According to Le Minh Quoc, The Hien is currently on oxygen, unable to talk, only lightly holding his friend's hand. The family did not reveal the specifics of his illness. A week earlier, The Hien had just gone on a trip to Vung Tau, and upon returning, the musician was still in a cheerful and upbeat mood. He is currently being cared for at home by his personal doctor, with his wife, children, and relatives on duty.