Liu Thi Con and his wife, Sun Ying (in blue) with their two children.
Liu Thi Con, born in 1939, is a master pianist from China. He has won awards at home and abroad and is a national artist. He has also trained many generations of students for the Chinese piano art scene. His wife, Sun Ying, born in 1976, comes from a family with a musical background. She started playing the piano at the age of four, the pipa at six, and later took up the violin.
The couple married in 2017, and Liu Thi Con was on his third marriage, with adult children from his previous marriages. However, Sun Ying revealed that she had her eye on her husband, who is 37 years her senior, almost a decade ago.
The happy family of four receives much admiration.
Sun Ying recounted that she first met Liu Thi Con when she was in her early 20s. At that time, she knew that he would be a perfect life partner and had good genes. So, she took the initiative to approach him, and they eventually tied the knot despite facing criticism from others.
Their love story, transcending age differences, is further evidenced by the birth of their children. Their first child, a daughter, was born in the United States in 2020 when Sun Ying was 44 years old. They later returned to Hong Kong, and in 2023, Sun Ying, at 47 years old, gave birth to their second child, a son named Liu Tian Tian.
Their daughter, Bei Bei, as a baby.
Their son, Tian Tian.
Since the birth of his children, Liu Thi Con feels like he has rejuvenated by 20 years. On regular days, he enjoys watching his children climb and play around the house. The piano master finds happiness in diaper duties at his age, as he fully embraces fatherhood.
Liu Thi Con shared that although he had children from his previous marriages, he was busy with his career and didn’t have much time to enjoy fatherhood when he was younger. So, the births of Bei Bei and Liu Tian Tian brought him indescribable joy as a father.
Liu Thi Con spends generously on his children’s care.
Liu Thi Con once hired six nannies to care for his daughter and built a school just for her. His vast wealth, accumulated in his 60s, is also expected to be passed on to his son.
The children of Sun Ying and Liu Thi Con receive attention and praise from well-wishers. People admire Bei Bei and Tian Tian for their cuteness and striking resemblance to their father.
Their daughter, Bei Bei, is adorable.
Their son is praised for his Western features.
Especially, their one-year-old son, who appears less often than his sister, is noted for his Western-like features, with fair skin and dark eyes. In March this year, Liu Thi Con celebrated his 86th birthday, feeling blessed to have his loving wife and wonderful children by his side.
While there may be disadvantages to becoming a parent at an older age, as in the case of Sun Ying and Liu Thi Con, it can also bring immense happiness. For those considering having children at a later stage in life, here are some aspects to consider:
1. Discuss or at least inform your existing children
Before deciding to have another child, it is important to discuss your plans with your existing children. Or, at the very least, inform them about your decision to give them time to process and adjust to the idea.
2. Ensure optimal health
One of the main concerns when parents are older is the potential health risks for both the mother and the child. Medical professionals often advise against women over 40 having children due to possible complications. Therefore, to ensure safety and ease the worries of older children, prospective parents, especially mothers, should prioritize their health to ensure a smooth pregnancy and childbirth.
3. Secure financial stability
While older parents may not face the same financial pressures as younger ones, long-term financial planning is crucial. As retirement approaches or has already begun, insufficient financial resources can become a serious issue in raising a child. Thus, before having another child, it is essential to have a solid financial plan in place to provide for the child’s future and ensure they do not become a burden on their older siblings when the parents are no longer able to work.
