Yao Chen, once dubbed the “Weibo Queen,” has confirmed her divorce from cinematographer Cao Yu after nearly 15 years of marriage, sending shockwaves across Chinese social media.
On March 16, the former couple released a joint statement revealing that they had actually ended their marriage several years ago but chose not to disclose it publicly at the time due to family considerations. In the statement, they shared, “We were once close friends, then family, and in the future, we will remain friends like family.” They also emphasized their commitment to co-parenting and maintaining a professional relationship.
Following the announcement, the hashtag related to their divorce quickly climbed to the top of Weibo’s trending list. Alongside the news, Yao Chen’s past relationships have once again come under intense public scrutiny.
Her first marriage to Ling Xiaosu, a former classmate from the Beijing Film Academy, was once considered a model relationship in the entertainment industry. The couple married in 2003 but divorced in 2011 amid growing career differences and time spent apart. Their split was further overshadowed by rumors alleging multiple instances of infidelity during the marriage, sparking widespread controversy at the time.
Yao Chen later met Cao Yu while filming the movie Color Me Love. Their relationship became public in 2011, and they married in New Zealand in 2012. The couple shares two children and even co-founded a production company together in 2016, building both a family and professional partnership over the years.
With the divorce now officially confirmed, what was once a long-standing marriage has come to a quiet end. While the couple appears to have parted on amicable terms, the renewed attention on Yao Chen’s personal life highlights the enduring public fascination with one of China’s most high-profile actresses.
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