Bruce Lee did not die while we were making love: Alleged lover

Former actress Betty Ting has opened up on speculation surrounding famed action star Bruce Lee's death in her home 40 years ago, in hope that people will respect him and not bother about the rumours circulating around.

It was Jul 20 in the year 1973. Betty, who was known by her stage name as Ting Pei, was with Bruce at her home reportedly going through the script for a movie which she was going to star in when he complained of a headache.

He took a prescription tablet that Betty often used herself, went to sleep and did not wake up when Betty tried to wake him up for a dinner appointment. He was later pronounced dead on arrival after being taken to a hospital.

Since the incident, Betty said she has suffered a lot of pressure from all the rumour-mongering. In an interview with Radio Hong Kong Interview, she opened up about the man behind the action star everyone knew, reported Mingpao.

She said: "I believe he liked me more than I liked him, because Bruce Lee constantly praised me."

When asked about the rumours over the cause of Bruce's death - the pair were rumored to be in the midst of an intimate act, with drugs rumored to be involved, when tragedy struck - Ting Pei said: "I have heard many ugly rumors about sex drug or Spanish Fly, I have heard them all.

"Actually he passed away in his dream, he was very lucky. At the time, Bruce Lee said that he felt somewhat unwell, had a little headache, took some pain pills and rested for awhile.

"I want to say, pain pills aren't strong enough to make people go 'bye bye' like that, otherwise the drug company would have to bear a lot of responsibility.

"I have (also) never heard of anyone die from making love."

Although his death brought about a lot of pressure and unfair treatment to her, Ting Pei was always able to seek solace via the things he left behind.

One example is the many music tapes from English bands that Bruce had. Every time she was having a hard time she would listen to them and feel better.

Were they in love? Did she want to be Mrs. Lee?

"I was young at the time, I never thought about destroying someone else's family.

"We got along, Bruce Lee liked me. If I didn't like him, I would have to be nuts!

"I remembered at the time he trained himself to the limits, I have heard he saying that he was very tired. Sometimes, life is destined, but his death was more painful to me than death itself.

"I hoped to pass on what he did not finish, I am like a female Bruce Lee.