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| Yao Chen Confirms She and Cinematographer Cao Yu Divorced Years Ago. (Credits: Weibo) |
Chinese actress Yao Chen has revealed that her marriage to renowned cinematographer Cao Yu ended years ago, confirming the separation publicly for the first time in a joint statement released on 16 March. The former couple said they deliberately kept the divorce private while their children were still very young, choosing to prioritise family stability over public disclosure.
In the statement shared on social media, Yao Chen explained that the pair had quietly ended their marital relationship “many years ago” but decided not to announce it at the time. Their son, affectionately known as “Little Tudou,” was born in 2013, followed by daughter “Little Moli” in 2016.
The two said that while their marriage has long since concluded, their roles as parents remain unchanged. They stressed that they will continue raising their children together and maintain a respectful relationship both personally and professionally.
Rather than detailing reasons behind the split, the pair chose reflective language to describe the change.
They wrote that “meeting and parting are both joys,” summarising their years together as a journey shared “through mountains and rivers, fortunate for three lifetimes.”
The tone suggested a calm closing chapter rather than a dramatic break.
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| Yao Chen and Cao Yu Announce Past Divorce, Stress Co-Parenting and Ongoing Professional Ties |
Yao Chen and Cao Yu first crossed paths in 2010 while working on the romantic film Color Me Love. She starred in the project, while he served as the cinematographer. Their relationship became public the following year.
After more than a year of dating, the couple married in a low-key ceremony in New Zealand in November 2012. During their marriage they welcomed two children and also collaborated professionally.
Together, they co-founded the film company Bad Rabbit Pictures in Shanghai.
The studio has backed several notable productions including Lost and Found, Send Me to the Clouds, The Cord of Life, and Three Noble Stories, while also supporting emerging filmmakers and arts education initiatives.
Both figures have established reputations in China’s film industry. Yao Chen, born in Fujian in 1979 and trained at the Beijing Film Academy, rose to national fame through the sitcom My Own Swordsman and later gained critical acclaim for roles in television drama Lurk.
Cao Yu, a respected cinematographer and producer, has worked on acclaimed films such as Kekexili: Mountain Patrol, City of Life and Death, Legend of the Demon Cat, and the war epic The Eight Hundred.
A Second Marriage for Yao Chen
The marriage with Cao Yu was Yao Chen’s second. She was previously married to actor Ling Xiaosu, whom she wed in 2003 before the pair divorced in 2011.
Online reaction to the announcement has been mixed but largely measured. Some fans expressed surprise that the divorce had taken place long ago without public knowledge, noting how successfully the two managed to keep their family life private despite intense media attention.
Others praised the tone of the statement, saying the calm and reflective language reflected maturity. Many comments focused on the couple’s decision to shield their children from public scrutiny while they were growing up.
Still, curiosity remains among netizens. Some questioned how the separation stayed undisclosed for so long, while others wondered whether the pair’s professional collaboration might continue in future projects.
What many observers agreed on, however, was that the statement avoided the usual drama often associated with celebrity splits.
For fans who have followed Yao Chen’s career for nearly two decades, the news marks the quiet closing of another personal chapter. Whether this revelation will affect her future collaborations with Cao Yu remains unclear, but both appear determined to maintain stability for their family.
What do you think about Yao Chen and Cao Yu keeping their divorce private for years?