Isabella Leong Broke Up With HK Billionaire Richard Li Because "He’s Too Popular With Women”

It's been more than 10 years since Macanese actress Isabella Leong ended her high-profile relationship with her baby daddy, Hong Kong businessman and billionaire philanthropist Richard Li.

And it looks like the 35-year-old actress is finally ready to open up about their 2011 breakup.

In a recent episode of Chinese talkshow A Date with Luyu, Isabella recalled her three-year relationship with Richard, 56, the younger son of Hong Kong's wealthiest man Li Ka-shing.

"Looking back, I don't regret it because I know that once I made the choice, I have to keep moving forward. If I get to choose again, I'd still make the same decision. I really did yearn for a family of my own," she confessed.

When asked if she had intentions to marry Richard, with whom she had three sons out of wedlock, Isabella said: "Of course I did at that time, but I couldn't force it."

Isabella then spilled the beans about why she eventually decided to break up with Richard.

"He's too popular with women. I couldn't accept that. I wanted more security in my life," she shared.

Despite that, Isabella said she and Richard parted on pretty good terms. 

"[Our relationship is] Not bad, not bad. We're just the parents [of our children] and we get along quite well," Isabella assured, adding that she actually took a "very long time" to get over the breakup but has since found herself again.

Isabella also shared about the interview on her Weibo. She wrote: "When you've experienced everything and had the time, energy and countenance to face it, that is the perfect timing for you to start again.“

Isabella met Richard in 2008 through Michelle Yeoh, who was her co-star in Hollywood movie The Mummy 3. At that time, Isabella was only 19.

She gave birth to their son, Ethan, the following year, followed by twin boys in 2010.

But in 2011, Isabella suddenly announced that she and Richard had gone separate ways.

"Stepping into 2011, I also walked into a new stage of my life. I have broken up with Mr Richard Li. We once shared a great time with each other, and we'll be raising our children together," Isabella shared at that time.

She continued: "Our common goal is for [our children] to grow up healthily and happily. I'd like to use this statement to cease everyone's endless assumptions and conjectures about us."

In March that same year, Richard also issued a statement to confirm that he and Isabella had broken up. He went on to rubbish rumours that there was a third-party involved and that he had given Isabella HK$1bil (S$172mil) as a "breakup fee".

Isabella faded out of showbiz at the peak of her career to take care of her sons. She moved to Canada where she stayed out of the public eye.

In recent years, she has slowly been making her acting comeback and has starred in movies like Murmur of the Hearts (2015), Missbehaviour (2019), Love After Love (2020) and most recently Bursting Point (2023).

Isabella is also the face of luxury skincare brand Clé de Peau.