Michelle Yeoh opens up about feeling ‘like a failure’ for not having children: ‘I think the worst moment to go through…’ |

Actress Michelle Yeoh revealed she felt “like a failure” for not having children. The Oscar winner shared that she always dreamed of having a family, and her first marriage to businessman Sir Dickson Poon was partly because she wanted to have kids and carry on the family line.
Michelle Yeoh shared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour that she underwent fertility treatmentsbut they were unsuccessful. She admitted, “The hardest part is feeling like a failure every month.”
She further explained that she eventually stopped blaming herself, realizing that some things in her body simply didn’t work as expected. She shared that accepting this reality helped her let go and move forward, emphasizing the importance of not holding onto self-blame.
At 62, Michelle Yeoh achieved Oscar glory last year for Everything Everywhere All at Once. She is also celebrated for her roles in iconic films such as Tomorrow Never Dies, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Crazy Rich Asians.
Michelle Yeoh is set to appear as Madame Morrible in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked. She was married to businessman Sir Dickson Poon from 1988 to 1992.
Michelle shared that not having children wasn’t due to a lack of effort, as she has always loved babies and still does.
When asked by Woman’s Hour presenter Nuala McGovern how long it took to come to terms with not having children, Michelle Yeoh admitted she still reflects on it. Now 62, she cherishes having a baby in her life through her stepson and his wife, who welcomed a child in January.
Michelle Yeoh shared that she feels blessed to have godchildren, nieces, nephews, and now a grandchild. Reflecting on her first marriage, she admitted the inability to have children likely contributed to its end. She emphasized the importance of honest discussions between couples about having a family, saying it prevents future heartbreak. After being engaged to Jean Todt since 2004, the couple married in 2023.