Taiwan star Barbie Hsu dies at 48

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu has died from pneumonia after contracting influenza while on a vacation in Japan, local media report. She was 48.

Hsu is one of the biggest names in the Mandarin-speaking world and is best known for starring in the 2001 TV series Meteor Garden.

Meteor Garden was dubbed in several languages and made Hsu a big star in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.

Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed her death to Taiwan’s TVBS News on Monday.

“During the Lunar New Year, or family came to Japan for vacation. My dearest sister Barbie has unfortunately left us after getting pneumonia, triggered by an influenza,” Dee Hsu said in a statement shared by her manager.

“I’m thankful to be her sister in this lifetime, taking care of each other … I will always be grateful to her and remember her.”