Xu Ming, founder of Dalian shade, who was convicted of bribery three years ago, has passed away due to a heart attack in Hubei Prison last Friday, according to SCMP.

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Xu was nine months away from his scheduled release in prison when he died of a heart attack.

The previously influential businessman in China was 44 years old.

Xu was known as one of China's youngest billionaires, known for forging ties with one of the leaders in the Communist Party until he fell out of favor.

Xu was the founder of the company named Dalian Shade, which ventured into other forms of business such as sports teams, construction materials, real estate and insurance.  Majority of his business focused more on insurance.

Xu's major political connection was Bo Xilai, the former mayor of Dalian. During Bo's term, Xu was given the opportunity to improve the city through lucrative contracts.

The 44-year-old businessman's vast fortune increased as Bo rose up through higher ranks in the Communist Party.

Xu was declared the eighth richest person in China last 2005, according to Forbes via NY Times.

As Bo was the one to lift Xu through prominence, the former mayor's downfall will also predict Xu's fate.

Bo was indicted for bribery and prosecutors charged him for receiving millions of dollars in pay-offs from the businessman.

Xu also made connections with Bo's rivals to safeguard him from any harm.

In Beijing, Xu shared his office space with the former Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

"He was helping everyone in the leadership. He knew just who to get close to and how to do it," said Larry Chang, one of Xu's former business partners.

Xu made his last appearance in public when he testified at Bo's trial last 2013. Xu was accused as the main briber of the former Chingqing party chief.

Xu was jailed for almost four years since 2012 for proposing a huge sum of bribe to Bo and his family.

Xu's ashes were taken to his hometown located in Dalian Port and a short memorial service was practiced.

Tagsxu ming, Chinese Businessman, corruption scandals, Dies, prison, Bo Xilai