Artist Mai Tran: Retired due to stroke, helping his wife sell products online
At the age of 71, artist Mai Tran had to retire from his career after many health problems. He currently lives in Dong Nai, helps his wife, 20 years younger, sell goods and finds simple joy in his delivery job.
Artist Mai Tran, at the age of 71, was forced to stop his artistic activities after many serious health problems. Once a big name on the theater stage in the 1980s, his life now involves helping his wife sell products online and delivering them himself.
Health turning point and decision to retire
In 2019, artist Mai Tran faced a major incident when he suffered a stroke. A few months later, he was hospitalized again due to a blockage in the blood vessels supplying his brain and heart, requiring urgent surgery. Since the surgery, his health has declined significantly, his memory has deteriorated, and his mind is no longer clear.
Although his passion for the profession was still burning, his health condition did not allow him to continue. The male artist shared that he tried to return to the set but could not memorize the lines, his acting was affected, causing embarrassment for the directors and the entire film crew. Therefore, he proactively asked to withdraw. The last two films he participated in wereGodfather(2021) andSouthern forest land(2023).
Making a living in old age
After retiring, artist Mai Tran’s family’s finances depended entirely on his wife. His wife, Quynh Van, personally made dishes such as black chicken stewed with Chinese herbs, yogurt, and flan to sell online. To help his wife, Mai Tran took on the job of posting promotional posts on social networks and personally delivering the products.
Every day, he travels nearly 20km from his home in Dong Nai to Ho Chi Minh City to deliver goods. This job brings him joy when meeting friends, colleagues and audiences. Although sometimes he encounters situations of "bombing" his goods, he still maintains an optimistic and self-reliant spirit. He and his wife refuse all calls for donations, affirming that they want to work with their own strength.
Support from a wife 20 years younger
Artist Mai Tran married his current wife, Quynh Van, in 1999. She is 20 years younger than him. For more than two decades, she has been his companion and a strong support, especially during his serious illness. Despite the many difficulties in life, their family is always filled with laughter.
The artist couple has two children. The 25-year-old eldest son has graduated from Film Directing and is studying for a Master’s degree, while the daughter is a first-year student at the University of Economics. The family currently lives in a level 4 house in Nhon Trach, Dong Nai.
Looking back at the stage career
Artist Mai Tran, born in 1954, studied at the Saigon National Drama School since he was 16 years old. In the 1980s, he was a shining star of the Kim Cuong theater stage with many classic roles such as Lo Quy inThunderstormor Hoang Tu inIn the name of justiceIn addition to acting, he is also a director for many television series and entertainment programs.
In his old age, artist Mai Tran chooses to live a peaceful life, fulfilling each day. He no longer has far-fetched plans but only tries to survive, to be a spiritual support for his wife and children. "I try to survive day by day, until the day and time God calls me, then I will go," he shared.
