Miss Chinese Malaysia Angie Cheong reflects on hardship of being a single mom

By Linh Le July 16, 2025 | 02:42 am PT

Malaysian actress Angie Cheong, who won the 1992 Miss Chinese Malaysia pageant, took to Xiaohongshu to share the challenges she has faced in raising her son Hanson, whom she adopted in 2006, as a single mother.

Malaysian actress Angie Cheong. Photo from Cheong's Instagram

"They say single moms are strong, but no one realizes that behind that strength is really just putting on a brave face," the beauty queen admitted, her voice breaking as she reflected on the emotional toll of motherhood, according to The Star.

Cheong, 54, revealed the immense sacrifices she made to care for Hanson, including putting her acting career on hold in 2018 to support him during a critical heart surgery. Hanson, who was two years old at the time of adoption, was born with congenital heart disease, requiring constant medical care.

She went on to speak about the hardships of balancing her responsibilities.

"I have to earn money, help with homework, be a driver, a nanny, and a nurse," she said. "If given a choice, who would want to shoulder everything alone? I’m afraid of not providing enough for my child and often feel guilty for not spending enough time with him."

At that moment, Hanson appeared to comfort her, saying: "Mom, don't cry. I'm here."

Cheong embraced him and replied: "It hasn't been easy for mum to raise you."

In a past interview, Cheong shared her desire to find a partner who would love and care for Hanson as his own son. However, that hope remains unfulfilled. In 2016, reports emerged of Cheong’s breakup with her boyfriend at the time, as he reportedly struggled to accept Hanson, according to Yahoo!

Cheong competed in Miss Chinese International in 1993 after winning the Miss Chinese Malaysia pageant. She later signed with Hong Kong’s TVB and became an actress.