Phi Nhung shed tears as she recounted her story of becoming a single mother at the age of 20.

The overseas singer appeared with her biological daughter Wendy and shared about her tumultuous life.

In April, Phi Nhung publicly revealed her biological daughter, Wendy Pham, for the first time after keeping her identity a secret for many years, much to the public's surprise. Prior to this, the singer had never mentioned having a daughter. Wendy resembles her mother, is over 20 years old, and is currently studying nursing in the United States.

Recently, in an interview with an overseas television channel, Phi Nhung publicly introduced her daughter for the first time. She tearfully recounted her arduous life, her struggles as a singer, and her enduring the humiliation of others to earn money to raise her daughter.

Phi Nhung recounted that she moved to the US in 1989 without any family support and struggled to make a living as a seamstress. In 1992, Phi Nhung became pregnant with her daughter, Wendy. "When I was 20 years old and pregnant, I didn't dare call home to ask relatives for advice because I was afraid of being scolded. I read books and asked my colleagues. Even with a large baby bump, I continued working as a seamstress until the day before giving birth. I also drove myself to the hospital to give birth without any assistance. On the day I was discharged, I asked a friend to pick me up. When my daughter was one month old, I went back to work, placing her cradle next to the sewing machine, covering it with a piece of cloth to protect her from dust. I also placed a bottle of milk next to it so that when she was hungry, she would find it herself," the singer said sadly.

Phi Nhung revealed a picture from the past, when her biological daughter was just one year old.

The singer of "Ao Moi Ca Mau" (New Dress of Ca Mau) can't forget the time when she was one month pregnant, she started bleeding, and the doctor threatened that the fetus would be lost. She cried a lot, and at night she had to tie her legs up high to sleep for fear of losing the baby. Once, she forgot her keys inside the house and had to jump out the window to get in. Even though she knew the fetus was at risk of miscarriage, she still risked jumping out the window thinking, 'If God is merciful, I will save the baby.' "After that, the fetus gradually got healthier. Perhaps God wanted Wendy to suffer hardships from a young age," Phi Nhung said.

When her daughter was one year old, Phi Nhung coincidentally met singer Trizzie Phuong Trinh at a charity event. Trizzie recognized Phi Nhung's emotionally rich voice and encouraged her to pursue a singing career. Wanting her daughter to have a comfortable life, Phi Nhung decided to take her child and go with Trizzie to California. "The sewing profession at that time provided a fairly stable income."

"I was afraid that if my singing career wasn't successful, where would I get the money to support my child? And if I went singing, I didn't know who would take care of my child. But I thought, I have to try my best so that my daughter wouldn't suffer and lack money like I did. So, I took my child and left." For the next two years, Phi Nhung stayed at Trizzie Phuong Trinh's house and was helped by Trizzie's mother to take care of her daughter. During the day, she sold CDs for a music center, and in the evenings, she worked part-time at a restaurant while also practicing singing.

"I wasn't a singer signed with a music center, so I had to completely fend for myself, teaching music and doing everything on my own. Sometimes I wanted to wear an ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) to perform, but because I didn't have the money, I had to borrow one from Trizzie's mother. I also didn't dare spend anything because I was saving up to buy diapers and milk for my child. My life was extremely difficult," she recounted, tears welling up in her eyes.

Wendy often lived away from her mother because Phi Nhung was busy performing to earn money.

After two years of diligently studying Northern Vietnamese pronunciation and music, Phi Nhung finally appeared on a joint CD with the renowned singer Huong Lan. She sang two songs, "The Sadness of the Phuong Flower" and "Reuniting Old Love." Fortunately, her voice was loved by the audience, and from then on, she performed more frequently. Because she didn't have time to take care of her child, Phi Nhung sent her child to Florida and asked her sister to look after her.

She said that although it was heartbreaking to be separated from Wendy, she wanted her daughter to have a peaceful childhood and receive a full education. "Because I'm poor and uneducated, anyone can insult me, but I don't want anyone to harm my child. My child must study hard so that she won't suffer like I did. Many people in the industry criticize me, asking why I had to hide my child, but they don't understand. I've endured so much to get to where I am today."

Once, while preparing to perform, Phi Nhung received news from her family that Wendy was ill. The singer couldn't concentrate on singing; all she wanted was to fly back to her daughter as quickly as possible. But because the location was so far away, she tried to control her anxiety and asked her younger sister to take care of Wendy.

Phi Nhung also sacrificed her own happiness for her daughter. Many men expressed affection and proposed marriage, but she refused, fearing they would add to her burden of her daughter and five younger siblings. "Back then, I thought I had to ensure my five younger siblings got married before it was my turn. But when they all had stable families, I realized I had to focus on raising my daughter until she was 18. Now, with my daughter about to graduate, I'm getting old. I think that since God has given me a good child, I can't ask for another good man by my side. Moreover, I have many adopted children now. So, I'm sure in the next life, God will give me a fulfilling and happy life." The singer also confided that she didn't want her daughter to see her dating one man after another, fearing her daughter would imitate her.

Phi Nhung also clarified the rumors, stating that Wendy is not the daughter of singer Mạnh Quỳnh. "Mạnh Quỳnh is my closest friend in life. If Wendy were Mạnh Quỳnh's daughter, she would surely be more beautiful. Wendy's father is a kind and talented man, but we weren't meant to be. He has another family, so he can't take care of Wendy."

The singer and her mother cried and laughed at the same time as they recounted their lives filled with sadness.

During the conversation, Phi Nhung's daughter, Wendy, made her first appearance alongside her mother. Wendy confessed that she is very proud of her mother because she is a strong, capable woman who can do anything. "I don't blame my mother for not being around often. However, whenever I'm sad, I wish she were here so I could hug her and cry. I also wondered why she kept going out to sing all the time instead of staying home to cook for me. I just wanted her to stay home; we could live in poverty together. But she said she had to work to earn money to support me. Later, when I grew up, I understood her. I never envied my friends who had both parents. They argued with their mothers all the time, even wanting to leave home. As for me, even though I don't see my mother every day, I can text and call her."

When Wendy was 16, Phi Nhung began adopting orphaned children. Wendy recounted, "Once, on stage, my mother said she had no husband, no biological children, and would remain single for the rest of her life to care for her adopted children. I cried because I was so sad. But when I saw her building temples and taking in more orphans, I understood that she was doing good deeds to accumulate merit for me." Wendy also sent a message to her mother: "Mom, don't think that you're not a good mother. Even though you're not always around, I'm still well-behaved and respectful of elders. That's more fortunate than those who have mothers but are still unruly."

After hearing her daughter's heartfelt words, Phi Nhung broke down in tears and said, "You must study hard so you can graduate next year. I've suffered so much, endured so much pain, especially during the times we were apart, to get to where we are today. You must try your best to finish your studies, graduate, get a job, and live happily. That's what I wish for. I'm fine living alone. Later, when you become a nurse or doctor, you must be a kind, gentle person who helps patients so that I can be proud of you."

According to NgoiSao.net