Actress Mai Tran bitterly retired due to illness, wife 20 years younger than him took care of him

Retired due to heart disease, helping wife sell products online

Artist Mai Tran was born in 1954 in Vinh Long city (formerly Tra Vinh ). The artist studied at the Saigon National Drama School since he was 16 years old. He graduated from the acting class of the Stage Arts School 2 in 1977 and continued his studies in Stage Directing.

In the 1980s, Mai Tran became famous on the Kim Cuong stage with a series of memorable roles such as Lo Quy ( Thunderstorm ), Hoang Tu ( In the Name of Justice ), Jourdan ( The Bourgeois Pretender )...

In addition to acting, Mai Tran also directs TV series, sitcoms, and programs such as: Tai Tieu Tuyet, Vitamin Cuoi , etc. His salary from this job is enough to cover his living expenses, and provide his wife and children with daily school fees.

While at the peak of his career, Mai Tran suffered a stroke in 2019. A few months later, the artist experienced another near-death experience. He was hospitalized for a blockage in the blood vessels supplying his brain and heart, requiring urgent surgery.

After the surgery, the male artist's health gradually weakened, his memory declined, and his mind was no longer clear. He was forced to say goodbye to art, although his passion and fire for the profession still burned.

The last two films Mai Tran participated in were Bo Gia (2021) by director Tran Thanh and Dat Rung Phuong Nam (2023) by Nguyen Quang Dung.

Clip artist Mai Tran shares

“I tried to return to the film studio and accepted a few roles in movies, but I couldn't memorize my lines. When I acted, I was faltering and couldn't remember what I said.

The situation repeated 2-3 times, making many directors embarrassed, and affecting the whole film crew, so I proactively asked to withdraw. Since then, I lost my job even though I had 2-3 degrees in hand," he shook his head and smiled sadly as he told VietNamNet .

In his spare time, Mai Tran often turns on the TV or watches social media to clear his mind. Looking at his contemporaries who are still freely playing on screen, his tears fall unconsciously.

Recently, Mai Tran met some colleagues such as Meritorious Artist Bao Quoc, artists Cong Ninh, Phuong Dung, Phi Phung, Tran Thanh... Being visited, encouraged, and reminded of old memories by everyone made him choked up.

011 sv.jpg — Retired due to poor health, Mai Tran helps his wife sell products online. The artist feels comforted because he is loved by many colleagues and audiences.

Some of Mai Tran's students and juniors who were trained by him now have stable positions in the profession. When they meet again, they still affectionately call him "Big Brother" , and when leaving, they put a few million in the artist's pocket to save for medicine.

For the past few years, Mai Tran’s family’s finances have been entirely dependent on his wife. His wife is a skillful artist, often making dishes such as black chicken stewed with Chinese herbs, yogurt, flan, salted duck eggs, sausages… to sell to acquaintances.

Seeing his wife struggling, Mai Tran often posts on social media, hoping to gain more support. Luckily, the male artist's posts are shared enthusiastically by many people. This is also the couple's livelihood in their old age.

Because most of her customers are in Ho Chi Minh City, Mai Tran drives from her home in Dong Nai almost every day to deliver the goods, a distance of nearly 20km.

Mai Tran's joy now is his delivery trips, meeting his friends, colleagues and audiences again. Some people request that the male artist deliver the goods so they can meet him, ask him questions and give him some gifts to take home.

Some customers who saw the delicious food for the first time became “regulars”, ordering again and again. That action made him happy, seeing that the artist’s life, although lacking in glory, still had some consolation.

However, Mai Tran could not avoid the frustration of being "bombed" like many other online sellers.

Mai Tran said that once he received 5 orders from a customer to District 12. From home, he drove more than 30km in the sun and rain to get there, but the person turned off his phone. Standing in the middle of the market, looking at the bustling crowd, his eyes stung and he sadly took his bike home.

He texted the person who placed the order: “Hey! I work for a living like everyone else, why do you have to tease me like that?”

Mai Tran thinks his life is as miserable as a movie, but he always reminds himself, “Don’t pity me.” In recent days, some individuals have offered to post articles calling for public help, but both he and his wife have refused.

Both maintain the principle of autonomy, working with their own strength, not wanting to ask for or receive support or favors from benefactors.

“Everyone has their own life and burdens, many people are in much more miserable situations than me. I don’t want to carry my own sadness to ask for money from others,” Mai Tran expressed.

Being taken care of by a wife 20 years younger, thinking about the last days of his life

Artist Mai Tran's life from youth to old age was full of ups and downs and challenges. He had a first marriage with artist Hai Yen. Due to incompatible personalities, the two soon divorced, and his ex-wife settled abroad.

Artist Mai Tran and his wife - Ms. Quynh Van. Despite their hardship, the two have never argued harshly and are each other's support in life.

In 1999, Mai Tran married Quynh Van - his current wife, who is 20 years younger than him. Although life is full of hardships, their small family is not without laughter. For more than 20 years, the two have accompanied, relied on, and shared the joys and sorrows, ups and downs of life.

When Mai Tran was seriously ill, Ms. Van took care of him little by little. Pitying his wife for having to take care of everything alone, the male artist once wrote a poem to encourage his wife.

The poem is titled "I don't let go": "Don't be sad, my dear/ What other life is there/ Up and down rapids/ Still steady in my oars/ This journey is always full of ups and downs/ My heart still hopes to follow my fate...".

Despite the large age gap, the two have never considered it a barrier. They are conscious of nurturing their love and keeping the fire of their marriage burning with simple family meals or taking each other for a walk in their free time.

“I consider my fate to be over. I just hope my wife is healthy enough to continue working and taking care of the children. We are husband and wife, so no matter how happy or sad we are, we must try to live our lives to the fullest,” he said.

The couple has two children, one boy and one girl. The eldest son is 25 years old, graduated from University with a degree in Film Directing, and is currently studying for a Master's degree. The daughter is currently a first-year student at the University of Economics.

Due to her poor financial situation, Mai Tran has felt that she has not fulfilled her responsibilities to her children for many years. The artist always tells her children to study hard, become successful, and soon have a stable job to take care of themselves and their small family in the future.

Currently, artist Mai Tran and his wife live in Nhon Trach (Dong Nai). Before, they temporarily lived on his sister's land. Later, with money from his wife's parents and some additional loans, they were able to buy a level 4 house to settle down.

Artist Mai Tran lived peacefully, trying not to think in the last days of her life.

At the age of 71, Mai Tran said he is now just trying to live each remaining day to the fullest. He has no expectations, nor any far-reaching plans, because he clearly understands that he is "powerless".

"Many people advise me to try to return to work, but I know my limits. Now I don't think too much, because if I think too much, it will turn into bad, negative thoughts, which will make my wife and children suffer even more. I try to survive day by day, and when the time comes, God will call me," Mai Tran advised.

Comedy sketch "49 meets 50" by artists Mai Tran, Hieu Hien, Phi Phung

Photos, clips: HK, NVCC

Artist Mai Tran recovers from stroke, visits Meritorious Artist Chanh Tin

- Artist Mai Tran visited artist Chanh Tin late in the evening of January 5. Recently, his health has shown many positive developments after being hospitalized for surgery due to a stroke.