{
  "id": 3916096,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: Mother's love: Taiwanese comedian Ma Guo Bi's mum sells house for gambling debt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/showbiz-mothers-love-taiwanese-comedian-ma-guo-bis-mum-sells-house",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T06:53:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/08/1520629/showbiz-mothers-love-taiwanese-comedian-ma-guo-bis-mum-sells-house"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Taiwanese comedian Ma Guo Bi has publicly thanked his family for their unwavering support as he nears the end of a decade-long battle to eliminate a massive NT$50 million (approximately RM6.3 million) gambling debt. The 51-year-old performer fell into financial turmoil in 2013 due to a severe gambling addiction and has spent the past 13 years tirelessly working to clear his debts. Recently, during a segment on a variety show, Ma expressed his gratitude, stating that escaping his debts was never an option. He credited his upbringing, where his parents instilled in him the values of facing problems bravely and taking full responsibility for his actions.\n\nThe emotional peak of the broadcast occurred when Ma's mother joined him on stage, alongside his father and grandmother. She revealed that she had resorted to selling her house to help alleviate her son's financial strain. Reassuring him during his lowest point, she recalled telling him, \"It's safe to return home. We'll eventually pay off the debt if we keep looking forward to that day.\" With renewed determination, Ma vowed to work even harder to ensure that day arrives as soon as possible.",
  "summary": "TAIPEI: Taiwanese comedian Ma Guo Bi has publicly expressed deep gratitude to his family for their steadfast support as he nears the end of a decade-long struggle to clear a staggering NT$50 million (about RM6.3 million) gambling debt.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}