Michelle Yeoh opens up about fertility struggles and finding joy in grandmotherhood

Michelle Yeoh reflects on her fertility journey and the challenges of not having children.

Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh candidly discussed her fertility struggles and their impact on her personal life during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour on November 18. The 62-year-old star revealed that she always wanted children and underwent fertility treatments during her first marriage to Hong Kong businessman Dickson Poon, which lasted from 1988 to 1992. “Every month, you feel like such a failure,” Yeoh shared, adding that acceptance eventually helped her move forward.

Yeoh explained that the inability to conceive was a significant factor in her divorce from Poon, saying, “We loved each other very much, but I couldn’t give him the family he craved.” She stressed the importance of open dialogue between partners when facing such challenges, acknowledging the emotional toll unresolved differences can take over time.

Despite her struggles, the Everything Everywhere All at Once actress found fulfillment later in life as a grandmother. Yeoh married her longtime partner, French motor racing executive Jean Todt, in 2023 after a 19-year engagement. Todt’s son, Nicolas, welcomed a baby boy earlier this year, and Yeoh shared her joy at embracing this new role. “We just had a grandchild,” she said. “You feel very, very blessed because you do have a baby in your life.”

Yeoh’s openness about her journey highlights the emotional complexities of fertility and the importance of finding happiness in different forms.