TAN XUEMEI

1930, Nanjing — 2021, Paris

Novelist, Translator and Professor of Chinese Language and Literature

Tan Xuemei was born in Nanjing in 1930. She studied in Chongqing, Shanghai and Beijing before moving to Paris in 1961. She later taught Chinese Language and Literature at Université Paris 7.

NANJING

1930–1937

1930

Tan Xuemei was born in Nanjing.

She was the eldest daughter of Chinese physician Dr. med. Shou-Ren Tan（譚守仁）and the German-born Maria Tan, née Häuser（譚瑪麗）.

1937

Following the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, she left Nanjing with her family and travelled to Chongqing.

CHONGQING

1937–1945

Tan Xuemei attended Guangyi Primary School and Guangyi Middle School in Chongqing (founded by the British Society of Friends in 1892 and transferred to Chinese administration in 1928).

SHANGHAI

After 1945

Tan Xuemei attended Aurora Girls’ Middle School in Shanghai (a Catholic girls’ school affiliated with Aurora College for Women and administered by the Society of the Sacred Heart).

BEIJING

After 1949

Tan Xuemei moved to Beijing with her family.

Early 1950s

Tan Xuemei studied at the Central Academy of Drama.

She worked as a singer with the Central Nationalities Song and Dance Ensemble.

She later completed courses in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Peking University while continuing to work.

She subsequently worked as a translator for the Central Orchestra and the Arts Bureau of the Ministry of Culture.

She translated works by Max Reinhardt and Bertolt Brecht.

1955

Her eldest daughter, Xiaomei, was born in Beijing.

Xiaomei’s father, Mr Yu, was a member of the Chinese Communist Party.

1961

Tan Xuemei left China and moved to Paris.

PARIS

1961–2021

After 1961

Tan Xuemei completed a doctorate in literature in Paris.

She later taught Chinese Language and Literature at Université Paris 7.

1963

Her son, Jean-Pierre Dumont, was born in Paris.

His father was a Belgian sinologist.

1966

Her younger daughter, Sylvie Dumont, was born in Paris.

After 1989

Tan Xuemei provided long-term assistance to Chinese dissidents and exiles living in France following the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

1995

She retired from university teaching.

1997

混血情 was published in Hong Kong by Ming Chuang Publishing Co., Ltd.

2000

Passion métisse was published in Paris by Bleu de Chine.

2002

Les Larmes de Mona Lisa was published in Paris by Bleu de Chine.

2008

Her son, Jean-Pierre Dumont, died following an illness.

2021

Tan Xuemei died in Paris.

A farewell ceremony was held at Père Lachaise Cemetery.