Zoe Tay's stepmother, who raised the actress and her siblings, dies at 88
Lim Ruey Yan
The Straits Times
Dec 1, 2025
Local actress Zoe Tay mourned her late stepmother Wong Pong Chin, who died at the age of 88, in a social media post on Dec 1.
Tay, 57, wrote in Chinese: "She never expressed her love verbally, but showed it in every little moment of her daily life. With her lifelong kindness, she taught me to treat the world gently. May you rest in peace, mum. I am missing you silently every day."
The "Ah Jie" (Big Sister) of Singapore television also included hashtags such as #MissingYou, #GratefulForYourNurturing and #TheGiantInMyHeart in the post. It is not known when Madam Wong died.
Several of Tay's celebrity pals, such as actor Chew Chor Meng, actress Xiang Yun, TV host Guo Liang and radio DJ Glenn Ong, left condolences in the comments section.
Tay also posted on Instagram Stories early on Dec 2 pictures of the wreaths sent by partners and friends from the local entertainment industry.
"Thank you for attending and for your support during this difficult time," she wrote in English. "Your presence at the funeral brought us great comfort. It meant the world to us that you were there to celebrate her life."
In 2017, The Straits Times reported that Tay's biological mother died in an accident when she was three. Tay is the youngest of six children. Her late father remarried and had a daughter with Madam Wong.
Tay said in the 2017 interview that Madam Wong raised her and her siblings and treated them like her own.
"She gave a lot of love to our family, so we all respect her a lot. So, it's no difference to me that she's not my blood mum."
In September 2022, Tay revealed in a video clip on social media for the Agency for Integrated Care and social service agency Dementia Singapore that her stepmother was in her 70s when she began showing signs of dementia.
On June 30, Tay commemorated Madam Wong's 88th birthday on social media, posting a photo of a three-tier cake with the Chinese character for longevity and the number 88, and another picture of what is believed to be Tay holding Madam Wong's hand.
"What a blessing to have met you. Thank you for everything you've done," Tay wrote in Chinese. "Love you, mum. May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain."
She added in English: "Happy birthday to my dearest mummy. Love you so, so much."
