Wang Xiaofei, the Chinese entrepreneur and ex-husband of late Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, has issued a formal statement to address mounting speculation surrounding her inheritance and the handling of her considerable estate. Through his representatives, Wang has sought to dispel circulating rumours about mortgage defaults, eviction threats, and family disputes that have clouded the narrative since Hsu's death from pneumonia in 2025.
The statement, released on July 8 through Taiwanese media channels, represents Wang's first significant public intervention in matters concerning his former spouse's legacy. Hsu and Wang were married for 11 years before divorcing in 2021, during which they had two children together. Their separation was followed by Hsu's subsequent marriage to Korean singer Koo Jun-yup, professionally known as DJ Koo, after the couple rekindled a romantic relationship that originally flourished in 1998.
According to the clarification issued by Wang's representatives, two-thirds of Hsu's entire estate has been allocated to their two minor children and is currently held in supervised trust funds to protect their financial interests. This arrangement reflects Taiwan's intestacy laws, which prioritise the protection of minors' inheritance rights. Wang has taken the additional step of petitioning the court to appoint a special representative dedicated exclusively to safeguarding the legal interests of the children, demonstrating his commitment to their financial security during this vulnerable period.
The remaining third of Hsu's estate passes to her current husband, DJ Koo, in accordance with Taiwan's spousal inheritance provisions. Wang's statement notably emphasises his respect for Koo's legal entitlements and acknowledges that how Koo chooses to manage his inherited share remains entirely his personal decision. This measured tone suggests an effort to position Wang as a reasonable party focused on protecting the children's interests rather than contesting the broader estate distribution.
One of the most damaging rumours circulating in recent weeks involved claims that Hsu's property had been placed on the auction block due to accumulated unpaid mortgage obligations. These allegations were compounded by reports that Hsu's elderly mother faced potential eviction from the family home, creating a narrative of financial instability and family discord. Wang's representatives have categorically denied these claims, providing specific details about ongoing financial commitments to counter the narrative.
The clarification reveals that Wang has consistently maintained mortgage payments on the property since Hsu's passing, with the responsibility now formally transferred to the children's trust arrangement. This detail is significant because it demonstrates that despite their divorce several years prior, Wang has continued to shoulder substantial financial obligations related to properties connected to his former spouse. The representatives further emphasised that Wang has never requested Hsu's mother to vacate the residence and that she remains welcome to continue living there, directly contradicting eviction rumours that had caused considerable distress to the family.
Estimates from Taiwanese media outlets place the total value of Hsu's estate at approximately 600 million yuan, equivalent to roughly RM361 million in Malaysian ringgit. This substantial sum includes significant real estate holdings, notably a property associated with the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts and a premium penthouse unit, alongside considerable assets that Hsu received through her divorce settlement with Wang. The scale of the estate underscores why inheritance matters have attracted such intense media scrutiny and public speculation.
The current management of Hsu's estate operates under the supervision of a court-appointed lawyer, providing a neutral third party to oversee the distribution process and ensure compliance with Taiwan's inheritance laws. This judicial oversight is particularly important given the complexity of the estate, the involvement of minor beneficiaries, the interests of multiple stakeholders across different jurisdictions, and the international dimensions introduced by DJ Koo's Korean nationality. The court-supervised arrangement serves to legitimise the distribution process and protect all parties from allegations of impropriety.
Wang's representatives have also issued a plea to media outlets to cease publishing unverified rumours about the estate, citing the emotional toll such speculation has inflicted on the grieving family. This appeal reflects growing frustration within the family regarding what they perceive as invasive and inaccurate reporting that has complicated an already difficult period following Hsu's untimely death. The statement suggests that the family prefers to resolve these matters through proper legal channels rather than through public discourse and media speculation.
For Malaysian readers, this case illuminates important distinctions in how different Asian jurisdictions handle spousal inheritance rights, the protection of minors' financial interests, and the role of international elements in estate distribution. The involvement of parties across Taiwan, mainland China, and South Korea demonstrates how entertainment industry figures' personal circumstances increasingly transcend national boundaries, creating complex legal and financial implications. Wang's proactive approach to court supervision and his emphasis on protecting the children's interests may serve as a model for how ex-spouses can navigate sensitive inheritance matters while maintaining family harmony across fractured relationships.
