Barbie Hsu Hidden Health Struggles: The Truth About Her Battle with Epilepsy & Heart Disease

BARBIE HSU – Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu’s hidden health struggles have come to light, revealing the truth about her long battle with epilepsy and heart disease.

Barbie Hsu, best known for her iconic role as Shan Cai in the hit drama Meteor Garden, has passed away at the age of 48 due to pneumonia caused by influenza complications. Her sudden passing has brought renewed focus to her past health struggles, including epilepsy and heart disease.

According to a report from GMA News, Barbie was previously diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, a heart condition affecting the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle, potentially leading to blood leakage and irregular heartbeats. She also battled epilepsy, a neurological disorder marked by recurrent seizures.

In a past interview with Focus Taiwan, Barbie disclosed that she had a near-fatal seizure while giving birth to her son in 2016, underscoring the severity of her condition.

In late January 2025, Barbie traveled to Japan with her family, including her sister Dee Hsu, for a vacation. During the trip, she contracted the flu, which progressed into pneumonia. Despite receiving medical treatment, her condition deteriorated, and she passed away on February 3, as confirmed by Dee in an official statement.

Barbie first rose to fame in 1994 as part of the singing duo S.O.S. (later ASOS) alongside her sister Dee. She transitioned into television hosting in 1995 and later ventured into acting, with her breakout role in Meteor Garden (2001) propelling her to international stardom. The series, featuring the Taiwanese boy band F4, played a crucial role in the golden era of Taiwanese dramas in the 2000s and earned Barbie a nomination for Best Actress at the Golden Bell Awards.

Over the years, Barbie starred in over 11 television dramas, including Eternity: A Chinese Ghost Story, Corner with Love, and Summer’s Desire, as well as 13 films, including Silk. She retired from acting in 2011 after marrying Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, with whom she had two children. Following their divorce in 2021, she rekindled her past romance with South Korean DJ Koo in 2022, and the two married.

Her passing has left fans, colleagues, and loved ones in mourning, with heartfelt tributes pouring in 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 continue to be cherished by many.