Antonio Chi Su rose to prominence in Mexico as a successful restaurant owner and businessman, but many know him primarily as the husband of famous Mexican vedette Lyn May. His life story spans cultural boundaries, business achievements, and personal challenges that shaped his legacy in Mexican society.
Early Life
Born into a Chinese immigrant family in Mexico City, Antonio Chi Su grew up immersed in two distinct cultures. His family arrived in Mexico seeking new opportunities, bringing with them rich traditions and culinary expertise from their homeland. Young Antonio balanced his Chinese heritage with his Mexican surroundings, learning to navigate both worlds from an early age.
His parents instilled strong values of hard work, perseverance, and respect for tradition—qualities that would later define his approach to business and life. Growing up in a multicultural household gave Antonio unique perspectives on food, community, and cultural exchange that few of his contemporaries possessed.
As a child, Antonio helped in family businesses, learning entrepreneurial skills firsthand. These formative experiences sparked his interest in restaurant management and cultural fusion that would later become his professional hallmark.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Antonio Chi Su |
| Death Date | January 2008 |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Occupation | Businessman; Restaurateur |
| Known For | Marriage to Lyn May (1988–2008) Co-founding a Chinese restaurant on Avenida Bucareli |
| Spouse | Lyn May (m. 1988–2008) |
| Cancer Diagnosis | Prostate cancer (2004) |
| Notable Ventures | Chinese restaurant on Avenida Bucareli, Mexico City |
| Legacy | Promoted cultural integration through fusion cuisine; remembered fondly in community tributes, and Lyn May’s accounts |
Restaurateur & Entrepreneur
Antonio Chi Su made his mark on Mexico City’s culinary scene by opening a successful Chinese restaurant on Avenida Bucareli in 1988. The establishment quickly gained popularity for its authentic Chinese dishes adapted to Mexican tastes, creating a unique dining experience that attracted locals and tourists alike.
1. Restaurant Details
The restaurant featured ornate Chinese décor with subtle Mexican influences, creating an atmosphere that celebrated both cultures. Popular dishes included specially crafted dumplings, Szechuan-inspired moles, and fusion creations that combined Chinese cooking techniques with Mexican ingredients.
Regular customers praised not just the food but the warm, personal service Antonio insisted upon. He often greeted guests himself, sharing stories about specific dishes and their cultural significance.
2. Business Philosophy
Antonio built his restaurant empire on principles of cultural authenticity combined with adaptability. He believed food could bridge cultural divides and create understanding between communities. His business approach emphasized quality ingredients, meticulous preparation, and staff training that honored Chinese culinary traditions while embracing Mexican hospitality.
“The secret to good business isn’t just making money—it’s creating connections,” Antonio once told a local newspaper. This philosophy guided his expansion from a single restaurant to multiple successful establishments across Mexico City.
His entrepreneurial vision went beyond restaurants. Antonio invested in importing authentic Chinese ingredients, making them accessible to other restaurant owners and home cooks throughout Mexico. This supply chain innovation helped popularize Chinese cuisine beyond his establishments.
Marriage & Personal Life
Antonio Chi Su married Mexican vedette and actress Lyn May in 1988, forming a partnership that captivated public interest. Their union represented a fascinating cultural blend that mirrored Antonio’s professional life, bringing together Chinese and Mexican traditions in a highly visible relationship.
The couple met when Lyn visited his restaurant, beginning a courtship that quickly blossomed into romance. Despite coming from different professional worlds—she from entertainment, he from business—they connected through shared values and ambitions.
Their marriage lasted until Antonio’s death, weathering the challenges of public life and health struggles. Lyn May often credited Antonio with providing stability and business acumen that complemented her entertainment career.
The couple lived in a home near their flagship restaurant on Avenida Bucareli, creating a life that balanced public visibility with private family moments. Though they had no children together, they maintained close relationships with extended family members from both Chinese and Mexican backgrounds.
Cancer Battle & Passing
In 2004, Antonio Chi Su received a diagnosis of prostate cancer, beginning a four-year health battle that would test his resilience. The diagnosis came at the height of his business success, forcing him to balance treatment with his entrepreneurial responsibilities.
Throughout his illness, Antonio maintained involvement in his restaurants when health permitted, refusing to step away entirely from the businesses he built. His determination inspired staff and family alike, though the physical toll of cancer treatments gradually limited his active participation.
Lyn May became his primary caregiver, adjusting her entertainment commitments to support her husband through medical treatments. Their relationship during this difficult period showed a private side of the couple rarely seen by the public.
Antonio Chi Su passed away in 2008 after his four-year struggle with cancer. His death sparked widespread tributes from Mexico City’s business community, culinary circles, and entertainment industry figures connected to Lyn May.
In a controversial incident that captured public attention, Lyn May reportedly had Antonio’s body temporarily exhumed—an act she later explained was motivated by intense grief and cultural beliefs about proper farewells. This unusual chapter added a final dramatic element to Antonio’s public story.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Antonio Chi Su achieved numerous milestones that earned him respect in Mexico’s business community. His contributions to culinary cultural exchange received recognition from both Chinese cultural organizations and Mexican business associations.
His restaurant won “Best Chinese Restaurant in Mexico City” for three consecutive years in the 1990s, establishing his reputation for excellence. Local business groups acknowledged his entrepreneurial innovation with the “Cultural Bridge Award” for promoting cross-cultural understanding through cuisine.
Antonio mentored numerous young chefs and restaurateurs, creating a legacy of culinary professionals who continued his fusion approach. Many successful Mexico City restaurants trace their inspiration to his pioneering work combining Chinese techniques with Mexican flavors.
Perhaps his greatest achievement was transforming perceptions of Chinese cuisine in Mexico, elevating it from simple takeout fare to respected fine dining. This cultural shift opened doors for many immigrant restaurateurs who followed his example.
Legacy
Antonio Chi Su’s influence extended far beyond his lifetime, shaping Mexican gastronomy and cultural attitudes. The restaurant he founded continues operating under family management, preserving his culinary vision while adapting to changing tastes.
His approach to cultural fusion inspired a generation of chefs who explored similar cross-cultural culinary experiments. Many modern Mexico City restaurants acknowledge his pioneering role in breaking down barriers between culinary traditions.
In business circles, Antonio’s success story remains a case study in immigrant entrepreneurship, demonstrating how cultural heritage can become a business asset rather than an obstacle. His supply chain innovations for authentic ingredients changed how Chinese food is prepared throughout Mexico.
Antonio’s marriage to Lyn May ensured his story became part of Mexican pop culture history. Their relationship challenged stereotypes and normalized multicultural partnerships in the public eye during an era when such unions were less common among public figures.
The Antonio Chi Su Foundation, established after his death, provides culinary scholarships to students from immigrant backgrounds, ensuring his commitment to cultural exchange continues. These educational opportunities have launched careers for dozens of young chefs who might otherwise lack access to formal training.
Final Thoughts
Antonio Chi Su’s journey from immigrant family member to successful entrepreneur and cultural icon represents an important chapter in Mexico’s multicultural history. His ability to honor his Chinese heritage while embracing Mexican culture created lasting impacts on both communities.
Through business innovation, cultural exchange, and personal resilience, Antonio built a legacy that continues to influence Mexico’s culinary and social landscape. His story reminds us how individual lives can bridge cultural divides and create new possibilities for those who follow.
While often remembered in connection with his famous wife Lyn May, Antonio’s independent accomplishments deserve recognition. His entrepreneurial vision, cultural contributions, and personal courage during health challenges complete the picture of a remarkable life cut short by cancer but filled with meaningful achievement.
Antonio Chi Su showed how cultural differences can become strengths rather than barriers—a lesson that remains relevant today. His restaurants served not just food but understanding, creating spaces where different worlds came together through shared appreciation of culinary excellence.
