Culture
72-Year-Old Man Goes Viral Becoming Beauty Influencer to Pay for Grandson’s Treatment
A 72-year-old man in China named Zhu Yunchang has gone viral after becoming a beauty influencer to help pay for his grandson’s medical treatment.
Wearing makeup on livestreams, he reviews products not for attention, but to raise money to keep his grandson alive.
Zhu’s grandson, Xiao Jingyan, was just five years old when doctors diagnosed him with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare disease that slowly weakens the muscles.
Doctors told the family that without treatment, he might have only about 18 months to live ahead of him.
Despite the prognosis, Xiao continued fighting with unwavering support from his family. His parents sold their home and took on heavy debt to afford imported medication costing hundreds of thousands of yuan per dose.
Even then, the mounting expenses quickly outpaced everything they could manage.
This was when Zhu stepped in. He knew his small pension would never cover the costs, so he searched for another path.
After learning beauty blogging could earn income online, he chose to try it himself, determined to help fund his grandson’s treatment.
The journey was difficult as Zhu lacked any knowledge of cosmetics. He faced harsh initial rejections from manufacturers who claimed an elderly man could never sell makeup.
Undeterred, he committed himself to mastering this entirely new craft to ensure his grandson had a chance.
Zhu first asked cosmetic brands for samples, but many turned him away. Instead of quitting, he went to local makeup shops and asked staff to teach him.
He wrote down unfamiliar terms, practiced daily, and slowly learned how to apply each product with care.
He began live-streaming and eventually gained significant popularity, providing a vital financial lifeline for his family.
Although he was a novice, his genuine personality and story resonated deeply with viewers. He spent hours each day demonstrating products to his growing online audience.
Fortunately, recent policy changes in China have added the necessary medication to the national insurance list.
This has significantly eased the family’s financial stress. However, Zhu continues to blog and advocate for rare diseases using his platform.
Today, Zhu stands as a quiet symbol of love and perseverance. “If my grandson can one day walk like other children, I will feel at peace,” the caring grandfather said.
His journey shows that a grandfather’s devotion knows no boundaries when family is at stake.