Michelle Yeoh Feels Like a Failure for Not Having Children

Michelle Yeoh Opens Up About the Emotional Toll of Not Having Children

Michelle Yeoh recently expressed feelings of inadequacy regarding her journey toward motherhood. The Oscar-winning actress, now 62, was candid during a November 18 interview on the BBC Radio 4 program Woman’s Hour. She shared that despite her desire to start a family, she faced challenges along the way, particularly during her first marriage to Dickson Poon, which lasted from 1988 to 1992.

Yeoh revealed that the couple’s hopes for children were significant in their relationship, stating, “It was about having children, a next generation and all that.” She reflected on the pain of feeling like a failure month after month when fertility treatments did not yield the desired results, saying, “You start to question everything, and at times, it feels like you’re the one to blame.”

Over time, Yeoh realized that biological limitations were beyond her control. “There are certain things in your body that doesn’t function in a certain way. That’s how it is,” she noted. “You just have to let go and move on, and at some point, you have to stop blaming yourself.”

The actress admitted that her struggles with infertility took a toll on her marriage to Poon, highlighting it as a key reason for their divorce. “It’s essential to have those conversations within a couple, especially when one partner wants children and the other does not,” she explained. “If you don’t address it early on, it can lead to resentment and heartbreak down the line.”

Yeoh’s reflections resonated with many, especially among those who have faced similar fertility challenges. She shared, “It was not for lack of trying because I have always loved babies. Sometimes, honestly, I still think about it.”

After her marriage to Poon, Yeoh found lasting love with French motor racing executive Jean Todt. The couple wed in July 2023 after a 19-year engagement. During the same interview, Yeoh expressed joy in becoming a grandmother. Todt’s son, Nicolas, welcomed a son, Maxime, earlier this year. Yeoh shared, “I’m 62. Of course, I’m not going to have a baby now, but having a grandchild makes me feel blessed. I do have a baby in my life.”

Through her journey, Yeoh has demonstrated resilience and the ability to find joy in unexpected places, reminding us all that family can take many forms.