Chen Hsing-yu Sheds Political Baggage, Praised for Living Authentically

Former President Chen Shui-bian emotionally recalled a painful memory of his daughter, Chen Hsing-yu, struggling to balance her academic pursuits with motherhood. While imprisoned, he wrote her a letter expressing deep remorse, remembering a time when she was simultaneously breastfeeding their child and writing her master's thesis for National Taiwan University. He conveyed his profound apology, stating, "Dad is sorry for you."

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Dad is sorry for you.

Chen Hsing-yu's recent public statements about her divorce have prompted her father's first public response to her situation. Lawyer Wang Chih-te commented on Chen Hsing-yu, suggesting that beneath any perceived flaws, she possesses a genuine and unvarnished personality. He recalled her past outbursts, such as questioning why any Democratic Progressive Party member hadn't taken money from her father and expressing anger towards individuals like Chao Yu-chu, whom she felt evaded responsibility.

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Which person in the DPP hasn't taken my dad's money? This is political struggle! He wants to destroy our whole family!

Wang described Chen Hsing-yu as an "unwilling public figure" who has endured unwanted scrutiny and negativity for much of her life. He noted that while many people, including himself, may have initially judged her harshly in their youth, they later came to understand her anger and resilience. He asserted that while she might not be a perfect public figure, she is undeniably authentic.

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I hate Chao Yu-chu so much! He doesn't dare to take responsibility for his own actions, people like that should just go kill themselves!

By shedding the "political family halo and burden," Wang believes Chen Hsing-yu has found her own way to live a life free from pretense. He also raised questions about her ex-husband, Chao Chien-ming, and the circumstances surrounding his alleged medical practice irregularities, implying that if Chen Hsing-yu's own statements are true, the situation is perplexing.

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She might not be a perfect public figure, but she is definitely an extremely real self.