Former Mediacorp actress Yang Libing has revealed she was cheated out of Toto lottery winnings by an ex-partner — one of two major financial setbacks that she says kept her from becoming "very rich."
"I hope my ex sees this report and returns my share of the Toto winnings!" she said. The Toto incident, however, was not the only time Libing suffered a major financial blow. After leaving acting to work as a property agent, she completed a high-value deal with a business partner. But because they did not clearly document how the commission would be split, she lost S$1.4 million in commission. "So you see, if not for these two incidents, maybe I would already be very rich," she said with a laugh.
Despite the losses, Libing has come to see money as a form of tuition fee. "Money buys you wisdom, brings benefactors into your life, and even helps buy you a kind of protection," she said, adding that she believes a higher power has been watching over her and helping her through major difficulties.
Much has changed in Libing's life in the past two decades, from divorce to the loss of loved ones. Once regarded as one of local showbiz's golden couples, she and actor Li Nanxing famously split in 2005 after 11 years of marriage. They have no children and neither has remarried. Despite what appeared like a bitter divorce at the time, Libing said there is "no deep-seated hatred" between them, and she is open to sharing the screen with him again if the right script comes along.
Using "plain water" to describe the essence of marriage, she added: "Love exists during passionate romance — it's like fruit juice or red wine, sweet and fragrant. But later, it turns into plain water." She explained that plain water isn't bad, but something the body needs every day — it represents an elevated, deep familial bond. But when money, family background, and other complex factors enter marriage, and that cup of "water" loses its original purity, letting go may be the only way forward. "Many couples can't bear to let go because they're unwilling to accept it," she said. "But if you don't let go, you're actually not letting yourself go."