Taiwanese actress Joe Chen has opened up about her thoughts on starting a family.

The 46-year-old, who’s married to Malaysian artist Alan Chen, spoke candidly during a recent episode of the Chinese variety show Our Love Song.

“I think it’s very difficult for women over 40 to have children. Alan and I are just going with the flow when it comes to children. It’s OK if we have a child, and it’s fine if we don’t,” she said.

Joe admitted that had she been 10 years younger, she might have made a different choice.

“However, I think whatever life gives you at a certain time is what it’s meant to be. I’ve come to terms with it,” she said.

Joe then went on to emphasise the importance of self-love, adding that she herself had chosen not to have any children.

“But if I ever decide that I want to, I’d be willing to try in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or whatever it takes. Still, if I don’t, that’s fine too. I’m happy… Just let things flow naturally because everything happens for the best,” she said.

In October 2024, Joe hit back at naysayers who questioned her decision not to start a family, some of whom cruelly labelled her an “old hen who can’t lay eggs”.

“Why don’t you take care of yourself first? I’m probably living a better life than you. Whether I want kids or not is up to me. If you want children, go have them yourself,” she said at that time.

The Fated To Love You star also once remarked that the longevity of a marriage isn’t defined by whether or not a couple has children.

In another update, Joe and Alan – who registered their marriage in Taipei City March 2022 – recently celebrated six years together as a couple.

The pair first declared their love for each other in 2019 in Langkawi – the same place where they later held their wedding reception in September 2024.