Hong Kong  - A High Court battle began Tuesday over the fortune left behind by Hong Kong pop star Anita Mui, who died of cervical cancer at the age of 40.

Mui's mother Tam Mei-kam is challenging her daughter's will, which left her 70,000 Hong Kong dollars (9,000 US dollars) a month out of a fortune estimated at 3.84 million US dollars.

The will, drawn up one month before Mui's death in January 2004, left two properties to her close friend, designer Eddie Lau, and set aside 130,000 US dollars for her nephews and nieces' education.

It also left money for a Buddhist association as well as sums to cover the unmarried singer's own medical treatment as her condition continued to deteriorate.

Mui's mother claims that her daughter did not have the mental capacity to draw up a will in the month before her death and wants it declared invalid, which would entitle her to the entire estate.

Mui was a hugely popular actress and singer. She died in January 2004, four months after announcing that she was undergoing treatment for cervical cancer. (dpa)