The latest twist in the life of actress Bea Hayden has left the public stunned and sympathetic. Once seen as a fairytale bride who married into one of Hong Kong’s most powerful entertainment families, her reality has turned into a bitter tale of disappointment and sacrifice.
On November 16, Chinese media outlet Sohu reported that showbiz mogul Tiffany Chen and her husband Charles Heung known for their influential role in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry announced a revision of their will, stating that their over HKD 100 million (approx. USD 12.8 million) fortune would not be passed to their two sons. Instead, they plan to leave it to their grandchildren. “We will not leave anything for our sons. Only our grandchildren may use the money we earned. We don’t want our sons and their wives spending our fortune without working,” Chen declared.
This decision follows a series of scandals involving their eldest son, Jacky Heung Bea Hayden’s husband who has been embroiled in allegations of gambling addiction, affairs, and massive debt, even requiring his parents to step in legally and financially. Meanwhile, their younger son has been caught partying with young women at bars, tarnishing the once-respected Heung family name.
As the couple’s disappointment in their sons grows, they now place their hopes on the next generation. Their move to disinherit their sons and exclude their daughters-in-law from the family wealth has sparked heated discussion online, with many netizens expressing sympathy for Bea Hayden.
Married to Jacky Heung in 2019, Bea Hayden was once hailed as one of the top beauties of her generation, known for her Chinese-American heritage and goddess-like image. She rose to fame at 18 and was even crowned a “national goddess” by Chinese fans.
At the height of her career, she gave up everything for marriage leaving the entertainment industry entirely to fulfill her duties as a wife and daughter-in-law, including the expectation of producing heirs for the Heung family. Yet despite her sacrifices, her efforts have seemingly amounted to nothing.
Not only did she lose her career, but her life as a daughter-in-law in a powerful family turned out to be strict and oppressive. She was reportedly controlled by her mother-in-law, from her hairstyle and wardrobe to her daily spending. To make matters worse, she endured the humiliation of her husband’s alleged infidelity and financial recklessness.
Jacky Heung recently stirred more embarrassment by being accused of owing millions due to gambling debts and bizarrely appearing in cross-dressing outfits that drew public ridicule. The combination of an unfaithful husband, a domineering mother-in-law, and relentless public scrutiny has visibly aged Bea Hayden, leaving fans mourning the loss of the radiant “national goddess” they once adored.
Sources: K14