Taiwanese actor Barbie Hsu, who rose to fame across East Asia as the romantic lead in the 2001 television drama "Meteor Garden," has died of influenza at 48, her sister said Monday.

The Taiwanese star was known by her fans as ‘Big S.’ Learn more about her life, career and untimely death here.

Late Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who died on Feb 2 at the age of 48 due to pneumonia while on holiday in Japan, has returned home, but there will be no memorial service.

Hsu was 48 when she died of pneumonia after contracting influenza while on a trip with her family to Japan. Rumours of her death first spread online on Sunday and was eventually confirmed by her younger sister, Taiwanese entertainer Dee Hsu, on Monday morning, via the latter's manager. Her body was later cremated in Tokyo.

Barbie Hsu, a Taiwanese actress who starred in the popular TV drama “Meteor Garden” that once swept across Asia, has died after contracting pneumonia triggered by the flu.

Her ex-husband Wang Xiaofei has been slammed for commenting that he missed her and should have been the one who died. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Barbie Hsu, better known as "Da S" which means "Big S," caught the flu when she visited Japan with her family during the Lunar New Year, according to her sister.

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who starred in hit 2001 TV series Meteor Garden, has died from pneumonia at the age of 48.

Actress and 'It's Showtime' host Kim Chiu to Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu: “Thank you sa makulay namin childhood.”