Ronald Cheng & Wife In Legal Dispute After He Reportedly Offers $1.36K In Monthly Alimony

Hong Kong singer Ronald Cheng, 53, and former television anchor Sammie Yu, 45, are reportedly finalising their divorce after 13 years of marriage. 

The pair were recently spotted at the Wan Chai Family Court attending a closed-door hearing.

They have two kids: daughter Emma, 13, and nine-year-old son, Evan.

According to Hong Kong media, disputes over alimony had pushed them into a legal battle.

Ronald had allegedly only offered to pay HK$8K (S$1.36K) in monthly alimony, a figure Sammie says is far from enough to support their two kids.

It remains unclear whether this amount was meant for each child or as spousal support for Sammie.

She reportedly confided in friends, saying that the children's tuition fees alone are nearly HK$10K ($1.7K), not to mention costs for tutoring, extracurricular activities and daily expenses.

Given Ronald’s affluent background, Sammie was shocked by his stinginess.

Ronald's reluctance to increase support has been attributed to his father’s insistence that the grandchildren follow the Cheng family’s financial arrangements. His dad is Norman Cheng, a record label tycoon in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Sammie had initially hoped for an amicable settlement, but with no compromise from Ronald’s side, she had no choice but to take the case to court.

Ronald’s relationship with his former manager Ho Hing Sheung is believed to be the root cause for the marriage breakdown.

In September last year, the singer announced the end of his decade-long professional relationship with Hing Sheung, citing “work and moral issues”.

However, reports suggest Hing Sheung remained involved with Ronald’s career and personal affairs, including accompanying him during his final performance in Taiwan before he headed to the United States to seek treatment for depression and alcoholism.

Ronald was also reportedly reluctant to leave his career behind to undergo rehab and didn’t believe it would help much.

This led to escalating conflicts between him and Sammie, ultimately resulting in their divorce.

On her birthday in March, Sammie celebrated with her children and friends without Ronald.

Posting a snap on Instagram Story, she wrote: "Happy birthday to me. Start a new chapter."

Sammie and Ronald have since unfollowed each other on social media.

Ronald is no stranger to controversy.

His reputation took a beating in 2000 due to drunken airplane incident.

And in 2010, he and Hong Kong singer Charlene Choi shocked the public when they revealed their secret marriage during a press conference announcing their divorce.

Ronald tied the knot with Sammie barely a year later and welcomed their daughter the same year.