Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, a major star in the Chinese-speaking world, has passed away at the age of 48 due to complications from the flu. According to her sister, Dee Hsu, Barbie died from pneumonia after contracting the flu during a family holiday in Japan. Dee expressed her gratitude for their close relationship, sharing her sorrow and remembering her sister fondly.
Barbie Hsu had been in poor health in recent years, as her sister had previously mentioned in interviews. Known as “Big S,” Barbie first gained fame at the age of 17 in the mid-1990s as part of the Mandopop duo S.O.S. with her younger sister. The two were known for their humor and later became popular talk show hosts.
However, it was Barbie’s iconic role as the lead in the 2001 TV drama Meteor Garden that truly made her a household name across the region. Her portrayal of an ordinary girl falling in love with a wealthy boy captured the hearts of millions of viewers.
After her death, the news became a trending topic on social media platform Weibo, where fans expressed their disbelief and sadness. Many public figures, including her co-stars from Meteor Garden, also expressed their shock.
Barbie Hsu had retired from showbiz in 2022 following her divorce from Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei after an 11-year marriage. She is survived by her current husband, Korean rapper Koo Jun-yup, and two children from her previous marriage.
