Actor Tieu Bao Quoc has been a single father for 20 years, owns 3 houses and 8,500 square meters of land.

Artist Tieu Bao Quoc has chosen to remain single for over 20 years to fulfill his responsibility to his son. At 63, he lives comfortably thanks to his lifelong thrift and diligent accumulation of assets.

Live frugally, own 3 houses, 2 thousand square meter plots of land

- Taking on a supporting role in "Fight to the Death in the Sky" but unexpectedly being loved for your charm, how do you receive the audience's affection?

My character doesn't appear much, mainly to create comedy scenes. When I hear positive comments from colleagues and audiences about my role, I'm really happy.

Some people jokingly said that thanks to Mr. “Durian Hung” ( Tieu Bao Quoc’s character - PV ), they were less tense and breathless when watching the movie. I felt warm because at least the role created its own value.

I accepted to participate in the film first of all because of my affection and respect for director Ham Tran. I acted in 3 films for him, both of which we are very compatible in terms of working style. Ham Tran is a meticulous person, a scene is done meticulously down to the last detail, so I feel secure when any of his films are released.

I am grateful to be involved in a passionate and big-invested project like Sky Deathmatch . Moreover, I am even more proud that Vietnamese cinema has more and more great works, proving its outstanding production capacity.

Artist Tieu Bao Quoc with his charming and humorous role in "Death Battle in the Sky".

- How do you maintain your passion for the profession amid the pressure of scarce roles and the income of an aging artist?

I currently perform regularly at the Youth World Stage every week, and occasionally accept a few TV dramas and sitcoms. When I don’t have any projects, I mostly stay home, rest, and research scripts.

The income of an actor is unstable, and it is even more difficult for artists like me. There are months when I earn 10 million, sometimes more than 20-30 million, and there are months when I earn nothing. Luckily, I have never let myself fall into poverty, struggling to make ends meet.

God and the ancestors have given me this profession to make a living and to keep a place in the hearts of the audience, so I am very conscious of preserving it. At this age, I do not dare to hope or seek anything anymore. I only hope to have enough health and spirit to continue my career for a long time.

- How do you build your life and prepare for retirement?

In showbiz, if you ask which artist is the most frugal and "cheap", I dare say it's me. When filming a movie and getting paid, they deduct the expenses and only have more than half left. But I always have at least 90% left over or sometimes bring back the full amount. I don't dare to spend, I spend every penny.

I don't mind people saying I'm poor, because I came from poverty. I don't care if people look at me or judge me, because when I'm in trouble, no one helps me, I have to take care of myself.

I work in the industry and have seen many former stars suffer greatly in their old age. Artists do not have pensions so every penny spent must be carefully considered.

I want to rest assured that when I retire, I can still make a living and not bother the audience or colleagues.

The artist is at ease after many years of hard work and saving.

- Some artists try their hand at side businesses to create a new source of income, what about you?

In 2012, I tried to buy land in Can Giuoc (formerly Long An ) and was cheated by a broker, selling it for double the market price. At that time, I was so sad and shocked that I could not work because I felt like I was 50 and empty-handed. Luckily, I received help from a noble person, I divided the land into lots and sold it all within 1 month.

With the money from selling the land, I bought a small house of 12 square meters, 2 floors in District 8. For many years, my son and I have lived here. I rent out the house my parents left me to have more living expenses.

Buying and selling houses a few times helped me gain some experience in real estate. I bought and sold 5 houses with profit, the price increased gradually over time.

I currently have 3 houses, 2 for rent, 1 empty, and 2 plots of land of 4,000m2 and 4,500m2 in Long An. I plan to sell some of them for easier management in the future.

Lonely for many years, not daring to think about love

- People have long assumed that Tieu Bao Quoc is poor and burdened with food and clothing, but in reality he is more well-off and lives more leisurely than imagined, one could even call him a "hidden tycoon"?

When I was young, I did all kinds of jobs to make a living like driving a motorbike taxi, selling scrap metal, selling bottles... then I worked hard in art for decades. People have to come from hardship to appreciate value.

I do not dare to claim to be a rich man because compared to many people I am nothing. I just want to tell my children and grandchildren, in this life just be patient, work hard, be frugal and you will have it.

Recently, some TikTokers and YouTubers often post pictures of me riding an old motorbike and carrying a worn-out bag, making the audience feel sympathetic.

I have always been simple and unpretentious. No matter how old something is, if it still works, I never throw it away. I think a person's value does not lie in whether it is old or new, the important thing is that it is comfortable and fits.

Artists are familiar with the "single father" scene.

- After more than 20 years of being a single father, what difficulties have you faced?

My fate is lonely, since childhood I lacked family love. When I grew up, I got married and then broke up, I shouldered the responsibility of raising my children alone.

For more than 20 years, I have played the role of both mother and father, taking care of my son from toddlerhood to adulthood. Even though I am at a dead end, I do not allow myself to collapse because I know there is a heavy burden behind me.

Now that my child has graduated from college and has a stable job, I feel like I have relieved some of the burden.

My son, perhaps because he witnessed his father struggle and grow up in difficult circumstances, has become understanding and obedient. This has also been a consolation for me in my old age.

- Being alone, why don't you consider remarrying to have someone to share with and keep you company?

I dare not think about wife and children. I am used to being alone, now having a family is an additional burden.

A man getting married means being responsible and taking care of everything. The relationship must be constantly nurtured, kept alive and time must be spent together.

While artists have opposite working hours and unstable income, I don't want the woman beside me to have to sacrifice and worry, that would be a sin.

Recently my son and I were sitting down and talking, and he said, "I see that dad is happier and has less worries when he's alone." I thought about it and found it true.

If there is a woman who understands and shares with you, then you are very happy. If not, it's okay. Men! Who doesn't want a companion to accompany them in old age?

Artist Tieu Bao Quoc and his son.

- What do you fear when you turn 63?

I'm just afraid that I will die early and won't be able to take care of my children and my 83-year-old mother. I try to keep everything stable so that I can work and live happily with my family.

Compared to some people, I take good care of my health. Every day I use functional foods, drink lemon, honey, and turmeric to build up my body's resistance.

In the past, I was poor and did not dare go to the hospital for fear of getting sick and not having money for treatment. Now that I have peace of mind, I have regular check-ups for peace of mind.

I used to be stressed and depressed because of a series of events, but luckily I overcame them. Because I used to have a mental illness, I always wanted everything around me to be peaceful and gentle.

Tieu Bao Quoc in the movie "Death Battle in the Sky":

Photos, clips: HK, NVCC

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/tieu-bao-quoc-20-nam-ga-trong-nuoi-con-so-huu-3-can-nha-2-manh-dat-nghin-met-2444799.html