Hsu was 48 when she died of pneumonia after contracting influenza while on a trip with her family to Japan. Rumours of her death first spread online on Sunday and was eventually confirmed by her younger sister, Taiwanese entertainer Dee Hsu, on Monday morning, via the latter's manager. Her body was later cremated in Tokyo.

The ashes of late Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu have been brought home by her mother, sister, and husband. The family flew to Taiwan to retrieve an urn containing Hsu's remains on Feb. 5, reported Taiwanese media Liberty Times . Her husband, Koo Jun Yup, was later seen with the urn at Songshan Airport in Taipei.

The Taiwanese star was known by her fans as ‘Big S.’ Learn more about her life, career and untimely death here.

Taiwanese actor Barbie Hsu, who rose to fame across East Asia as the romantic lead in the 2001 television drama "Meteor Garden," has died of influenza at 48, her sister said Monday.

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who starred in hit 2001 TV series Meteor Garden, has died from pneumonia at the age of 48.

The ashes of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu have returned home with her family on Feb. 5 afternoon, according to Taiwanese media. Hsu, also known by her stage name “Big S,” died at the age of 48 on Feb.

The ashes of Taiwanese actress Barbie “Big S” Hsu Shi-yuan have been sent back to the self-ruled island after she died of pneumonia during a trip in Japan, with her family saying there will not be a memorial ceremony for the star.