Chinese woman struggles to pay S$1,330 medical bills, finds out during divorce abusive ex-husband hid S$2.6 million

A 53-year-old woman in China, who suffered long-term domestic abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, had struggled to cover the cost of her RMB7,000 (S$1,330) medical treatment.

She later discovered her ex-husband had hidden RMB14 million (S$2.6 million) from her.

The woman told Jiupai News that she was "deeply trapped" by the traditional taboo of not airing one's dirty laundry in public and keeping family scandals private.

This fear led her to silently endure the abuse for years.

After more than 10 years of suffering, she finally spoke up about her experience.

Domestic violence

Wang Zuohong first met her husband, surnamed He, through a matchmaker in 1997, Sina reported.

The couple married a year later and had a daughter shortly after.

Wang claimed that her then-husband started beating her in 2014.

Between 2020 to 2023, she suffered more than 10 rounds of beatings from her husband.

She reportedly took 132 photos of her injuries from the abuse, which included three broken ribs and three head injuries, she told Jiupai News.

Wang was also diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety after the abuse.

She also suffered from hearing loss in her ears following the beatings.

Cheating

In addition to the physical torment, her ex-husband cheated on her as well.

Wang discovered this when she found records on his phone of sex toys he had purchased with his mistress, reported Sina.

He apparently showed no remorse for his infidelity, even bringing his mistress to provoke Wang in person.

The mistress had also called and verbally abused Wang, threatening to find a hitman to kill her — all in an attempt to push her towards a divorce.

Wang also believed her ex-husband's repeated domestic abuse was a bid to force her to divorce him.

Finances

Although they were married, the couple never discussed their financial situation.

For over 20 years of marriage, Wang was unaware of his income and expenditure.

After monitoring her husband's bank accounts for several years, she realised that without her knowledge, her husband had transferred out RMB 14 million (S$2.6 million).

Despite his wealth, he had refused to give her a monthly living allowance of RMB2,500 (S$475), she told a Chinese TV show.

Wang shared that she would wear t-shirts worth less than RMB100 (S$19), while her partner wore branded clothes.

When she went to Beijing for medical treatment, she could only stay in a cheap hotel that cost RMB50 (S$9.50) per night, and could barely afford the RMB7,000 (S$1,330) medical bill.

Meanwhile, Wang claimed that her ex-husband would go for cosmetic procedures regularly.

She also had to raise their daughter, who was pursuing a master's degree in Beijing, on her own.

She said: "I feel sorry for myself because I was wrongly treated by him."

Daughter's pleas

Wang added that she only stayed with her ex-husband for the sake of their daughter.

In one violent episode, her then 13-year-old daughter tried to stop her father and knelt down before her mother, begging them not to divorce, and saying that she "want[ed] a complete family".

At the pleas of her daughter and mother, Wang wrote a letter of forgiveness to her ex-husband, reported Sina.

However, the violence continued and was eventually inflicted on their daughter, who would get beaten if she did not achieve full marks on her mathematics tests.

Wang would also get beaten if she tried to intervene.

In 2025, Wang complained to the Yongchuan District Women's Federation in Chongqing to report her husband's domestic violence.

Her daughter also gave a witness testimony to support her mother in court.

Wang was soon granted a personal protection order by a local court.

In October that year, the court sentenced her husband to jail.

He was also ordered to pay Wang compensation for her injuries.

She has since filed for divorce, and the case is still ongoing.