Antonio Chi Su: The Untold Story Behind the Name Making Waves
Who Was Antonio Chi Su?
Antonio Chi Su was a Mexican-Chinese entrepreneur best known for marrying the famous vedette and actress Lyn May, and for running a Chinese-style restaurant on Avenida Bucareli in Mexico City. While his background before public life is not exhaustively documented, reliable sources agree that he blended his Chinese heritage with a life lived in Mexico, contributing quietly but meaningfully to cultural and culinary life.
Early Life and Cultural Roots
Antonio Chi Su was born in Mexico City, into a family of Chinese immigrants. His upbringing in a dual heritage—Chinese discipline and familial values, combined with Mexican social culture and environment—shaped his character and his later work. While details of his formal education are scarce, it’s clear that his life experience, sense of community, and cultural understanding played significant roles in his entrepreneurial path.
The Restaurant on Avenida Bucareli
In the late 1980s, Antonio Chi Su and Lyn May opened a Chinese restaurant on Avenida Bucareli in Mexico City. This restaurant became more than just a place to eat—it became a symbol of cultural fusion and community, where Chinese and Mexican cuisines were mixed, dialogue between traditions was fostered, and customers from different walks of life met. Under his leadership, the restaurant maintained quality and built a reputation, becoming part of his legacy.
Marriage to Lyn May
Marrying Lyn May, a well-known Mexican vedette and actress, brought Antonio Chi Su into more public view. Their partnership was both personal and professional: together they managed the restaurant, and Lyn May often spoke of Antonio with deep affection. The marriage was officially in 1988, and remained until his death.
Challenges, Illness, and Final Years
Antonio Chi Su’s life was not without hardship. In 2004, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite the diagnosis, he continued working, maintaining the restaurant, and staying involved with Lyn May and their shared projects. After battling the illness for several years, he passed away in 2008 at the age of 59.
Legacy: What He Left Behind
Although he has been gone for over a decade, Antonio Chi Su’s legacy persists through many channels. His restaurant, for many, remains a memory of a space where flavors and cultures met. More than food, his life is remembered for blending identities—Chinese-Mexican—showing that one can stay true to heritage while building something new. Through Lyn May and others, stories of his kindness, determination, and resilience continue to inspire.
The Name Making Waves: Why People Are Still Talking
People still speak of Antonio Chi Su because his story touches on universal themes: cultural fusion, love, entrepreneurial risk, illness, and dignity. Also, Lyn May’s public recounting of their marriage and of her grief has brought renewed attention to his name. For instance, there are reports that Lyn May made emotional disclosures, including how deeply she was affected by his passing. The restaurant they shared is tied to Mexico City’s cultural history, food culture, and the narrative of immigrant contributions.
Lessons from His Journey
There are several lessons one can draw from Antonio Chi Su’s life:
- Cultural Identity Is a Strength — Embracing dual heritage rather than hiding one’s roots can lead to richer creative and business paths.
- Resilience Matters — Facing illness, economic ups and downs, yet staying committed to one’s values, work, and loved ones, shows strength.
- Partnership and Shared Vision — His marriage with Lyn May was not just personal but collaborative, showing how life and business sometimes overlap.
- Legacy Beyond Wealth — His legacy is less about the wealth he amassed and more about what he built in community, memory, culture, and inspiration.
Final Thoughts
Antonio Chi Su may not be a household name internationally, but within the tapestry of Mexican-Chinese entrepreneurs, cultural figures, and individuals who quietly build, he represents something powerful. He shows how food, heritage, love, and perseverance combine to leave a mark that echoes far beyond one’s lifetime. The story behind his name is one worth telling—one that inspires respect, curiosity, and admiration.
