Michelle Yeoh Discusses Personal Struggles with Fertility and Motherhood

In a candid interview with BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, actress Michelle Yeoh opened up about her deeply personal struggles with fertility and her feelings of inadequacy over not having children. Although Yeoh, known for her roles in films such as «Everything Everywhere All at Once» and «Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,» has achieved global success in her acting career, she revealed that her inability to have children led her to feel «like such a failure.»

Yeoh recounted her experiences during her first marriage to businessman Sir Dickson Poon, which lasted from 1988 to 1992. «The marriage was partly about having children, a next generation and all that,» she explained. Despite undergoing fertility treatment, Yeoh was unable to conceive, which left her with a sense of monthly disappointment and self-blame. «You just have to let go and move on,» she stated when discussing the realization that certain things in her body did not function as expected.

The Oscar-winning actress reflected on how this aspect of her life continues to affect her, especially when considering the possibility in hindsight. «Sometimes, honestly, I still think about it,» she admitted. Now 62 years old, Yeoh finds contentment in her role as a grandmother, a position she cherishes, as her stepson and his wife recently welcomed a child.

Yeoh also highlighted the impact her inability to have children had on her first marriage, suggesting it may have contributed significantly to its dissolution. «You also have to understand, these are conversations that you really have to have with yourself and be able to look ahead,» she advised, emphasizing the importance of honest dialogue between partners regarding family planning.

After divorcing Poon, Yeoh was in a long-term engagement with French motor racing executive Jean Todt, whom she married in 2023. She expressed gratitude for the love and support of her extended family, including godchildren, nieces, and nephews, as they bring joy and fulfillment to her life, filling the void she felt from not having biological children.