The legendary Taiwanese actress-singer Barbie Hsu passed away after contracting influenza during the Lunar New Year, her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed in a statement on Monday, February 3. She was 48.
Rumors about the actress’ death spread online on Sunday, February 2, which then intensified after her ex-husband and Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei changed his profile pictures on his social media accounts to black.
On Monday morning, Taiwanese entertainer Dee Hsu confirmed the news of her sister’s passing through a statement from a Taiwanese media outlet.
"Thank you all for your concern! During the New Year holiday, our whole family traveled to Japan. My dearest and kindest sister, Xiyuan, unfortunately, passed away due to flu-related pneumonia,” her statement read.
“I am grateful to have been her sister in this lifetime, to have cared for each other and accompanied each other. I will always be thankful for her and miss her forever. Shan~ Rest in peace! Love you always—Together, remember forever," she added.
Barbie is survived by her two children with her ex-husband, and current husband and South Korean singer and DJ Koo Jun-yup.
The actress was a known figure in the Philippines for her role as Shancai, the female lead character in the hit 2001 Taiwanese show, “Meteor Garden.” She played opposite Jerry Yan as Daoming Si and starred alongside Vic Chou, Ken Chu, and Vanness Wu.
