Arrangement for over HK$140 million of estate and child custody of late Barbie 'Big S' Hsu finalizes

The estate and child custody arrangements of late Taiwanese actress and television personality Barbie Hsu, widely known as Big S, have reportedly been finalized following her sudden death in Japan last month.

A Taiwanese media reported on Sunday that the distribution of her estimated NT$600 million (HK$142 million) estate and the guardianship of her two children have been resolved in line with local law, bringing an end to weeks of speculation about a potential legal battle.

Hsu’s estate will be divided between her current husband, South Korean DJ and singer Koo Jun-yup, and her two children from her previous marriage to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei.

However, since the children are minors– a 10-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son– their share of the inheritance will be managed by Wang until they turn 18.

Sources indicate that Wang, who recently traveled to Taiwan for the second time since Hsu’s death, has no immediate plans to take the children to Beijing, where he currently resides.

Earlier, Hsu’s mother, Huang Chunmei, sparked speculation with a cryptic social media post, saying, “I don’t believe justice cannot be restored and I’m heading to the battlefield and please cheer me on!”.

However, Taiwanese media outlets have since confirmed that both parties have reached a “peaceful agreement” in compliance with Taiwanese legal provisions.

Under Taiwanese civil law, Hsu’s two children are entitled to two-thirds of her estate while the remaining third goes to Koo.

As the legal guardian of the children, Wang Xiaofei will manage their inheritance until they reach adulthood. This arrangement has raised questions about Wang’s potential influence over a significant portion of Hsu’s estate.

According to another Taiwanese media source, Wang is still embroiled in a divorce-related lawsuit with Hsu’s estate.

Reports suggest that he owes some NT$250 million in unpaid mortgage and loans tied to Hsu’s former residence in Taipei’s upscale Xinyi District.

Wang’s recent visit to Taiwan was reportedly aimed at addressing these financial and legal issues.

Wang was recently spotted visiting a temple in Taipei with his daughter and his current partner, Mandy.

Witnesses noted the young girl holding Mandy’s hand, suggesting a harmonious relationship within the blended family.

Hsu, a household name in Taiwan and across Asia, passed away due to complications from influenza and pneumonia in a family trip in Japan in February.

Her marriage to Wang, which ended in a highly publicized divorce in 2021, was followed by her swift remarriage to Koo, her former boyfriend from the 1990s.

(Ayra Wang)