Ex-wife of Zhao Changpeng exposes letter after 25 years of marriage: a test of responsibility and family choices over time

Binance founder Zhao Changpeng and his ex-wife Yang Weiqing’s marriage story has once again become a focus in the industry. A letter from his ex-wife details their marriage spanning over a quarter of a century, from meeting and struggling through startup hardships to life changes after Binance’s success. This document not only involves personal privacy but also reflects the deeper issues of balancing family and career in the rapidly developing cryptocurrency industry.

From Meeting in 1999 to Marriage in 2003: A Self-Made Couple

Yang Weiqing recalls over 25 years of knowing Zhao Changpeng in her letter. They met in early 1999 and officially married in 2003. In the hopeful early days of their marriage, Zhao demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to family. The letter describes how the future Binance founder started from scratch, with no cash assets or inheritance from his parents; all achievements were due to personal effort.

As a full-time housewife, Yang never participated in work, and all household expenses were borne by Zhao. This traditional division of family roles was not uncommon at the time, but in the high-risk entrepreneurial journey, it meant that the other party bore more financial pressure.

Startup Failures and Perseverance: Difficult Times Before Binance’s Success

Before establishing Binance, Zhao experienced multiple entrepreneurial setbacks. The letter emphasizes that during the most difficult periods, he cared for his wife and children meticulously. Despite investment failures, he persisted in paying off all investor debts and never owed money to others, maintaining his commitments.

Yang mentions that even during the most financially strained times, Zhao never changed his supportive attitude toward the family. These details paint a picture of someone who maintained family responsibility despite personal career setbacks— a stark contrast to the later massive success of Binance.

Child Education and Family Involvement: From Infancy to Adolescence

The couple raised two children together. Yang describes in detail Zhao’s role as a father at different life stages. During the children’s infancy, Zhao actively participated in daily care—changing diapers, feeding, and traveling with them. These subtle family moments are often overlooked but are crucial in assessing a person’s family involvement.

As the children entered adolescence, Zhao continued to emphasize education. While living in Tokyo, Japan, even working remotely, he maintained close communication with his children. Notably, when his son participated in Boy Scouts, many activities required his presence, and Zhao managed to do so despite his busy entrepreneurial schedule.

After 2017 and the Founding of Binance: Business Busy-ness and Family Time Loss

A key time point in the letter is 2017, when Binance was founded. According to Yang, after Binance’s success, Zhao became increasingly busy. This is not a criticism but an objective observation— as Binance rapidly grew in the crypto exchange sector, his focus and energy naturally shifted.

Nevertheless, Yang emphasizes that Zhao still returned promptly when his children faced issues at school. This indicates that even during the busiest times, his commitment to family did not completely fade, only in form and frequency it changed.

Responsibility and the Test of Choices: The Dilemma of Public Figures’ Private Lives

The letter has attracted attention not only because it involves a well-known industry figure but also because it touches on the eternal issue of work-life balance faced by executives and entrepreneurs today. Yang repeatedly emphasizes Zhao’s sense of responsibility, integrity, and family commitment, but also cannot hide the reality of how his time and energy distribution changed after his career success.

Is it a gradual drift away after success, or are promises ultimately limited? This is not a black-and-white moral judgment but a complex reality about life choices. The same applies to ordinary families and high-level executives—the balance between career success and family companionship often cannot be perfectly achieved.

Yang Weiqing’s record of their marriage journey is both a reflection on the past and perhaps a silent protest against this imbalance. For Zhao, from starting from nothing, experiencing failure, to building an empire like Binance, each stage of family choices deserves recognition and discussion.