Chinese actress Yao Chen and cinematographer-director Cao Yu have jointly announced that they ended their marriage several years ago, confirming the news through a public statement. The announcement has drawn considerable attention online, making it one of the first high-profile celebrity divorce confirmations in the Chinese entertainment industry in 2026.
In their statement, Yao Chen and Cao Yu explained that although their marriage had already ended years earlier, they chose to disclose the news only recently. According to Yao Chen, the decision to keep the matter private was largely due to their children, who were still young at the time. The couple stated that they hoped to protect their family life and avoid unnecessary public attention during that period.
The joint statement also addressed two topics that often become focal points when celebrity couples separate: child custody and professional ties. Yao Chen and Cao Yu clarified that they will continue raising their children together, emphasizing a cooperative approach to parenting. They also noted that their professional collaboration remains intact, as they continue to work together on certain projects.
Observers pointed out that the couple’s careers have remained closely connected in recent years. In 2025, a project co-produced by Yao Chen and Cao Yu was nominated for the main competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it ultimately won the award for Best Director. The continued partnership suggests that despite the end of their marriage, their professional relationship has remained stable.
Public records also show that Yao Chen congratulated Cao Yu last year when he was invited to join the voting body of the Academy Awards, indicating that the two maintained friendly interactions even after their separation.
The pair were also seen attending events together in 2025, and photographs from that time did not reveal any obvious changes in their relationship. In earlier appearances, Cao Yu was still seen wearing a ring, though it remains unclear whether it referred to their past marriage or was simply a personal accessory.
Before her marriage to Cao Yu, Yao Chen had previously been married to actor Ling Xiaosu, her former classmate. The two married in 2003 but divorced seven years later, with their separation attracting significant media attention at the time. Yao Chen later began a relationship with Cao Yu, whom she met during the filming of the movie Color Me Love (《爱出色》). The couple married in New Zealand in November 2012 and later welcomed two children.
While the exact timing of their divorce remains unclear, Yao Chen and Cao Yu emphasized in their statement that the separation occurred years ago and that they have since reached mutual understanding regarding family and professional matters. For now, the couple appears focused on maintaining a respectful relationship while continuing their respective careers.
