Barbie Hsu, Taiwanese Star ofMeteor Garden, Dies of Flu-Related Illness at 48: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

Barbie Hsu.Photo:Shang Hongtao/VCG via Getty

Shang Hongtao/VCG via Getty

Barbie Hsu has reportedly died at the age of 48.

According to local media outlet theTaipei Times, the Taiwanese actress, who played the role of Dong Shancai in the 2001 dramaMeteor Garden, died of pneumonia after contracting influenza during a trip to Japan.

“Our whole family came to Japan for a trip, and my dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us,” Barbie’s sister and talk show host Dee Hsu said in a statement through an agent.

“I was grateful to be her sister in this life and that we got to care for and spend time with each other. I will always be grateful to her and miss her,” she added, per the outlet.

The date of Barbie’s death has not been confirmed.

PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for Hsu for comment.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Barbie Hsu at the Giorgio Armani store opening in 2013 in Taipei, Taiwan.Visual China Group via Getty

Visual China Group via Getty

According to theBBC, Barbie — who is also known as Big S —had a history of health challenges that included epilepsy and heart disease. She was also previously hospitalized due to seizures.

The star’s career began at 17 when she and her sister Dee were a pop duo, per the outlet.

Barbie Hsu in China in 2012.Visual China Group via Getty

In the show, Barbie played middle-class teenager Dong Shancai, who attended an elite private school and became entangled with the heirs of rich families.

According toCNN,Barbie retired from entertainment in 2022 after her 2021 divorce from Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei. She then remarried singer and DJ Koo Jun-yup in 2022.

Her lastInstagram post, which was posted on Dec. 21, was of her husband performing a DJ set onstage. “Clon forever 🌟🌟🌟DJ KOO你超Cool❤️❤️❤️,” her caption read.

source: people.com