Barbie Hsu Has Faced Health Challenges, Including Epilepsy & Heart Disease
BARBIE HSU – Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu experienced health struggles in the past and was hospitalized due to epilepsy.
Barbie Hsu, widely known for her role as Shan Cai in the hit drama “Meteor Garden,” passed away at the age of 48 due to pneumonia resulting from influenza complications. Her untimely death has brought renewed attention to her history of health struggles, including epilepsy and heart disease.
Based on a report from GMA News, Barbie was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, a heart condition that affects the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle, leading to potential blood leakage and irregular heartbeats. Additionally, she suffered from epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
In a past interview with Focus Taiwan, Barbie revealed that she “nearly died from a seizure” during the birth of her son in 2016, highlighting the severity of her condition.
In late January 2025, Barbie and her family, including her sister Dee Hsu, traveled to Japan for a vacation. During the trip, she contracted the flu, which later developed into pneumonia. Despite medical intervention, her condition worsened, and she passed away on February 3, as confirmed by Dee in an official statement to the media.
Barbie Hsu first gained prominence in 1994 as part of the singing duo S.O.S. (later known as ASOS) with her sister Dee. She transitioned into television hosting in 1995 and ventured into acting by 1998. Her breakthrough role in “Meteor Garden” (2001) catapulted her to international fame, earning her a nomination for Best Actress at the Golden Bell Awards. The series, which starred members of the Taiwanese boy band F4, played a pivotal role in the golden age of Taiwanese dramas in the 2000s.
Throughout her career, Barbie starred in over 11 television dramas, including “Eternity: A Chinese Ghost Story,” “Corner with Love,” and “Summer’s Desire.” She also appeared in 13 films, notably “Silk.” She retired from acting in 2011 after marrying Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, with whom she had two children. The couple divorced in 2021, and in 2022, she rekindled her romance with South Korean DJ Koo, whom she had dated in 1998, and the two married.
Her passing has left fans and colleagues in mourning, with heartfelt tributes from former co-stars Ken Chu and Rainie Yang, as well as her ex-husband Wang Xiaofei. Barbie Hsu’s legacy as a beloved actress and entertainer will be remembered by many.