A celebrated actress who rose to fame through hit TV series such as “Meteor Garden,” “Mars,” and “Summer’s Desire,” Hsu’s life was defined not only by her career achievements but also by her high-profile relationships. Over the years, she had four significant romantic partners.

1. South Korean musician DJ Koo

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu (L) and her husband, South Korean musician DJ Koo. Photo from Hsu’s Instagram

According to Pinkvilla, Hsu and DJ Koo’s relationship first garnered media attention in 1998. The Straits Times reported that they met when DJ Koo, now 56, traveled to Taiwan to promote his work and was interviewed by Hsu and her younger sister Dee Hsu on the entertainment show “100% Entertainment,” where the sisters were hosts.

Before meeting him, Hsu had declared herself a fan of DJ Koo and expressed her wish to marry him.

The couple separated in 2000 due to a dating ban imposed by DJ Koo’s management agency. They rekindled their romance in 2021 after DJ Koo learned of Hsu’s divorce from Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei.

2. Taiwanese actor Blue Lan

Hsu and Lan, now 46, co-starred in the 2001 TV series “Meteor Garden” and dated from 2001 to 2005. Their relationship faced several challenges, including a notable incident in 2003 when Hsu walked out moments before a live broadcast of “100% Entertainment” following a heated argument with her family about Lan. This emotional moment left her sister and co-host Dee Hsu tearfully pleading on air for her to return.

Reports suggest that Lan contemplated suicide after their breakup, especially upon learning that Hsu had started dating another “Meteor Garden” co-star, Taiwanese actor Vic Chou.

Lan married Taiwanese actress Jade Chou, now 48, in 2014 but divorced in 2023.

3. Taiwanese actor Vic Chou

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu (L) and actor Vic Chou. Photo from Chou’s Instagram

Shortly after breaking up with Lan, Hsu found love again with Chou, her co-star once again in the 2004 TV series “Mars.” Their relationship became public when Hsu rushed to Chou’s side after he was involved in a car accident.

The couple parted ways in 2008. Chou, now 44, got married to Taiwanese actress Reen Yu, now 38, in 2015.

4. Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu (R) and her ex-husband, Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei. Photo from Hsu’s Weibo

In 2010, Hsu met Wang, now 44. They got engaged just 49 days after their first date, with Hsu reportedly saying she knew Wang was the one after only five dates.

The couple married in March 2011 in Sanya, China. They had two children: a daughter, Wang Hsi Yueh, born in 2014, and a son, Wang Hsi Lin, born in 2016.

Hsu filed for divorce from Wang in 2021, accusing him of infidelity and abusive behavior. She publicly shared photos of Wang with other women during their marriage and revealed that he once pushed her and threw a book at her while she was pregnant. It was also suggested that she suffered a miscarriage during this turbulent period.

Financial strain from Wang’s struggling business may have contributed to their marital issues, with Hsu claiming he failed to provide adequate support for their family.

Their divorce was finalized in Nov. 2021, and Hsu remarried DJ Koo in Feb. 2022, just three months after announcing her divorce. The couple lived together with Hsu’s children until her passing.

Wang also remarried Mandy, a 26-year-old businesswoman who had previously been divorced, whom he met through a mutual friend. The couple registered their marriage in Shanghai last year.

Hsu’s family confirmed her death in a statement released by her sister Dee Hsu on Monday.

“Thank you for all the concern,” Dee Hsu expressed. “Over the Lunar New Year period, our entire family traveled to Japan for a holiday, and my most beloved, kindest elder sister Barbie caught influenza-related pneumonia and has unfortunately left us.”

“I am thankful to be her sister in this life, and grateful that we have taken care of each other and kept each other company all these years. I will always be thankful to her and remember her,” she continued. “Shan [Barbie’s nickname], rest in peace. We love you always. Together remember forever.”

Speculation about Hsu’s death began with a Facebook post and was initially met with skepticism, given her recent public appearances in good health, including attending a wedding in January and appearing in a New Year’s post by DJ Koo. Leaked medical reports revealed that the actress missed two critical opportunities to be saved while in Japan.