A Malaysian car workshop owner’s life reportedly unravelled in dramatic fashion after marrying a Vietnamese woman, with the marriage ending in financial ruin in less than a year. What began as a relationship admired by many soon turned into a cautionary tale about money, expectations and cross-cultural misunderstandings.
According to a post shared by a Facebook page known as “That Divorce Matter”, the man was once viewed as a textbook example of success. He owned a functioning car workshop, had accumulated savings over decades of hard work, and was considered stable both financially and socially. Friends and acquaintances reportedly envied his situation, especially after he married a Vietnamese woman described as exceptionally attractive, even likened to a celebrity.
However, behind the admiration, serious problems were already brewing. It was understood that the workshop owner’s parents had opposed the marriage from the very beginning. Their concerns were not rooted in prejudice, but rather practicality. They felt the couple did not spend enough time understanding each other, and warned that differences in upbringing, education, culture and lifestyle expectations could lead to major conflicts once married.
After the wedding, the financial strain became apparent almost immediately.
The man soon realised that his wife’s spending habits were far beyond what he had anticipated. On top of monthly remittances sent to her family in Vietnam, her personal expenses were also substantial. These reportedly included frequent dining out, entertainment, overseas holidays and regular purchases of luxury branded items.
Initially, the workshop owner attempted to manage the situation. He tightened his own spending and relied on business cash flow to cover rising household costs. However, as expenses continued to grow, his workshop began facing cash flow issues. Despite this, his wife’s spending did not slow down. Instead, it reportedly escalated, placing even more pressure on his finances.
In a desperate attempt to stay afloat, the man began selling off his personal assets. Properties that had taken years to accumulate were gradually liquidated to plug financial gaps. Ironically, each influx of money appeared to encourage even more aggressive spending, worsening the situation rather than stabilising it.
Within months, the financial collapse became unavoidable.
By the time the workshop owner fully grasped the scale of his debts, there was little he could do. His workshop was no longer sustainable, and creditors were closing in. Left with no viable options, he shut down his business and reportedly fled to escape mounting financial obligations. Even after selling all his properties, the proceeds were still insufficient to clear what he owed.
The marriage eventually ended in divorce, and the man sent his former wife back to her home country. In less than a year, achievements built over more than two decades were completely erased. From being seen as a “winner in life”, he was forced to start again from nothing.
The story has since sparked widespread discussion online, particularly in Singapore and Malaysia, about financial planning, marriage expectations and the risks of entering relationships without clear conversations about money. Many netizens pointed out that love alone is not enough, especially when major lifestyle and financial values are misaligned.