Nicholas Tse & Cecilia Cheung: Hong Kong's Golden Couple and the 104-Day Crisis
A 16-hour overnight negotiation ended 104 days of crisis for Hong Kong's most famous couple.
Key Facts
What Happened
Nicholas Tse, son of Hong Kong entertainment legend Patrick Tse, and actress Cecilia Cheung were Hong Kong's ultimate celebrity power couple. They married in a surprise ceremony in the Philippines in 2006 and had two sons — Lucas (born 2007) and Quintus (born 2010). But the marriage was rocky almost from the start, dogged by tabloid rumors about Cheung's past and Tse's rumored relationship with Chinese pop star Faye Wong.
The marital crisis went public in May 2011, launching what Hong Kong media dubbed the '104-Day Divorce Saga.' For over three months, the couple's breakup played out in tabloid headlines, with dueling statements from their respective management teams. The situation was complicated by the involvement of both families — particularly Patrick Tse, who reportedly took his ex-daughter-in-law's side in the dispute.
The breakthrough came on August 19, 2011, after a marathon 16-hour overnight negotiation that lasted through dawn. The final agreement granted joint custody of both sons, with Cheung reportedly giving up her entitled share of marital assets in exchange for the children living primarily with her. Reports indicated that approximately 300 million HKD ($46 million) was set aside in trust for the two boys, to be divided equally between them.
In a remarkable post-divorce twist, Nicholas Tse's father Patrick allegedly left 90% of his fortune to his ex-daughter-in-law Cecilia Cheung rather than to Nicholas — a testament to the complicated family dynamics that often outlast the marriage itself. Nicholas Tse went on to reunite with Faye Wong, while Cheung continued her acting career and gave birth to a third son in 2018 via a father whose identity she has never publicly disclosed.
Legal Breakdown: Hong Kong custody battles and trading financial rights for parental access
Hong Kong Divorce Law Framework
Hong Kong follows English common law principles for divorce. The court considers the welfare of children as paramount and applies equitable distribution of marital assets. Either party can petition for divorce after one year of marriage, citing irretrievable breakdown. The court has wide discretion in dividing assets and determining maintenance.
Trading Assets for Custody
Cecilia Cheung reportedly gave up her entitled financial assets in exchange for having the children live primarily with her. This type of trade-off — financial rights for custodial arrangements — is common in high-net-worth divorces worldwide. While courts generally try to keep financial and custody matters separate, in practice, one parent's willingness to concede on money can influence the overall settlement package.
Trust Funds for Children
Setting aside funds in trust for children is a common tool in wealthy divorces. It ensures that assets are protected for the children's benefit regardless of either parent's future financial decisions or relationships. In Hong Kong, trusts can be structured to release funds at specific ages or milestones, providing long-term security.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Marathon negotiation sessions can break deadlocks in high-conflict divorces — the 16-hour session resolved what 104 days of posturing could not.
- →Parents sometimes trade financial entitlements for custodial arrangements, a pragmatic approach that prioritizes what matters most to each party.
- →Trust funds for children protect assets from being entangled in future disputes and ensure children's financial security regardless of parental decisions.
- →Extended family dynamics can persist long after divorce — Patrick Tse's alleged favoritism toward his ex-daughter-in-law shows how divorce reshapes entire family systems.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.