Taiwanese Actress Dies of the Flu

Story by Kaeden Burke. Photo courtesy of CNN.

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu recently passed away at the age of 48. Barbie Hsu was an icon in the Chinese community, so much so that when she died many people, especially her family, were in distress. Hsu died of phenomena after catching the flu on a family holiday in Japan. 

Hsu, who is also known as “Big S,” rose to popularity in the 1990’s when she was just 17 years old. She and her sister were known for their sharp sense of humor. In 2001 Hsu’s lead role was in the drama show, “Meteor Garden.” According to CNN this role, “catapulted her to fame across the region as her portrayal of an ordinary girl who finds love with a rich boy resonated with millions of fans.” 

Hsu acted in several shows throughout her career like “Meteor Garden II” and “Summer’s Desire.” Hsu even had a career as a television host for a show called “Guess.” In addition to acting, Hsu also had a career in singing, with popular songs like Xin Gan Bao Bei (Sister’s Journey), SOS PARTY, CRAZY, and Bubble Mermaid. According to CNN, “Hsu retired from the entertainment industry in 2022 following the end of her 11-year marriage to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofel.” Although Hsu married twice, only she and her first husband share two children.

Hsu’s death became a top trending topic on China’s Weibo social media platform. Hsu leaves behind her sisters, friends, and her two children. She will be immensely missed by both her family and fans. 

Kaeden Burke is a 6th grader scholar at Friendship Southeast Academy.