Michelle Yeoh, the 62-year-old Oscar winner, shared on a U.K. BBC Radio 4 show that she struggled with feelings of failure for not having children. During her first marriage to Dickson Poon from 1988 to 1992, Yeoh underwent fertility treatments in a bid to start a family. She expressed the pain she felt each month of not conceiving, leading her to finally accept that certain aspects of her body did not function as hoped, and she needed to stop blaming herself to move forward.
Despite her deep love for babies, Yeoh admitted that not having her own children was not for lack of trying and still occasionally thinks about it. She discussed how the issue of not having children impacted her marriage to Poon, identifying it as the main reason for their breakup. Yeoh emphasized the importance of couples having open conversations about their desires for a family early on to avoid potential hurt and difficulties down the road, highlighting the importance of being fair to both partners.
Yeoh eventually found love with French motor racing executive Jean Todt and married him in July 2023 after a 19-year engagement. Speaking on the show, she shared that while she may not have a baby at her age, she has found joy in becoming a grandmother through Todt’s son, Nicolas, who welcomed a son named Maxime with his wife Darina. Yeoh expressed gratitude for the blessings in her life, even without having her own children, stating that having a grandchild has brought happiness and fulfillment to her life.
The actress highlighted the importance of self-reflection and having honest conversations within a relationship to ensure both partners are on the same page about starting a family. Yeoh recognized the bravery it took for her and her ex-husband to acknowledge that they couldn’t continue dragging out their marriage due to their differing desires for children and the potential hurt that could come from their inability to fulfill each other’s dreams. She believes that such discussions should happen early on in any relationship to prevent future conflicts and heartbreak.
Yeoh’s journey serves as a testament to the challenges and emotions that come with the desire to have children and the impact it can have on personal relationships. Despite the difficulties she faced in her first marriage, Yeoh has found love, companionship, and a sense of fulfillment as a grandmother in her later years. Her story resonates with those who have faced similar struggles with fertility and the impact it can have on one’s self-esteem and relationships but also serves as a reminder of the ways in which families can be created and found in unexpected ways.
