A 36-year-old woman in Henan, China, has drawn widespread sympathy online after her husband of 16 years divorced her following her diagnosis with vitiligo.
The woman, surnamed Li, developed the chronic skin condition two years ago, which caused pigment loss and left a large bald patch on her head.
According to Henan TV, instead of supporting her through treatment, Li’s husband reportedly looked down on her and refused to cover her medical expenses, claiming her appearance caused him to “lose face”.
“I devoted myself to the family. I take care of our child, do the laundry, cook meals and handle household chores,” Li said.
She added that her husband stopped bringing her to family gatherings and social events, saying he was embarrassed by her appearance and hair loss.
Li also shared that she was mocked by children in her neighbourhood, who cruelly compared her to an unattractive character from a television drama, further worsening her emotional distress.
A senior doctor explained that while vitiligo affects between 0.5% and 2% of the global population, Li’s condition progressed rapidly due to prolonged anxiety and psychological stress.
Despite the heartbreak, Li accepted the divorce and was granted custody of their child. She said she is determined to move forward and focus on her recovery.
“I will let go of the past and face treatment with a positive attitude,” she said.
