During some rehearsals for the Spring Festival Party that year, Zhao increased her drug dosage for tracheitis, but her health continued to decline. However, she still actively performed on stage despite her agony to bring laughter and happiness to her fans.

In 1999, Zhao took part in the Spring Festival party for the sixth and last time to perform the opusculum "Old General Goes into Action". During the performance, although Zhao suffered significantly, she smiled sweetly to millions of spectators.

Four days before the live broadcast at the Spring Festival Party, doctors diagnosed Zhao with terminal lung cancer. Seeing their mother so busy and happy, Zhao's sons did not have the heart to tell her. On New Year's Eve, as they watched their mother's outstanding TV performance, they wept.

China Central Television (CCTV) awarded Zhao for her performance of the Old General Goes into Action with a special honor award.

Zhao died of lung cancer on July 17, 2000.

  A brief introduction to Pingju Opera

Pingju Opera was formed in the first year (1909) of Emperor Xuantong's reign during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in Tangshan; it was therefore also called "Tangshan Laozi".

Pingju Opera originated from folk songs and dance known as Yangge, which is one of the main forms of folk flower fairs in the first month of the lunar year. In this activity, two people get dressed up and sing and dance in antiphonal style, while others act as singing and dancing partners. The gong and drum are beaten in unison and the suona or other traditional stringed and woodwind instruments are used as background music.

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