Former Olympic diver Zhang Jiaqi sparks debate over financial independence
Former Olympic diving champion Zhang Jiaqi (name transliterated from Mandarin) and her mother Xiao Yingjie (name transliterated from Mandarin) drew widespread attention after she revealed on a Chinese reality show that her mother had controlled her prize money for 12 years.
The programme, “My Daughter 2026”, highlighted Zhang’s transition from an elite athlete to an independent adult, while also revealing tensions over who controlled the money she earned during her sporting career.
Rose to fame after winning title at age 12
Born in 2004, Zhang rose to fame after winning a national title at age 12. A year later, she won gold in both the individual and synchronised 10m platform events at the National Games.
She later won the women’s synchronised 10m platform gold medal with Chen Yuxi (name transliterated from Mandarin) at the Tokyo Olympics.
After failing to make China’s 2024 Paris Olympics team, Zhang announced her retirement in November 2025 at age 21.
Her mother managed all her earnings
On the show, Zhang revealed that her mother had managed all her earnings from around age 10 to 22.
She said she had little understanding of handling money because her mother had always been responsible for her finances throughout her athletic career.
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According to Zhang, her mother held all three of her bank cards.
When Zhang won two gold medals at the National Games at age 13, she received an 810,000 yuan (about S$154,000) cash prize, which was deposited directly into her mother’s account.
She also shared that her mother had ordered a 13.1g gold necklace as a reward for the achievement but kept it for safekeeping because she was worried Zhang might lose it.
Zhang also said she had never seen the necklace until she was 22.
Retirement brings push for independence
Following her retirement, Zhang said she wanted to take control of some of her own finances to learn money management and plan for her future.
However, she said her mother refused, telling her: “You don’t understand these things.”
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During a candid conversation on the programme, Zhang also reflected on their relationship, saying her mother was unqualified.
Zhang felt her development was shaped more by her sports team, which she joined at age six, than by her parents due to years spent training and living away from home.
She also said she hoped to discover what she truly wanted after leaving competitive sports.
Viewers debate mother-daughter relationship
The discussion has sparked mixed reactions online.
Some viewers saw Zhang’s move to live alone in Shanghai as a natural step towards adulthood and financial independence.
Others expressed concern about the emotional distance between Zhang and her mother, as well as the long-term effects of letting someone else manage her finances entirely.
Source: Dot Dot News
The programme also highlighted the contrast between Zhang’s previous plans and current lifestyle.
In a 2025 vlog, she was seen house-hunting in Beijing with her parents, but she is now living alone in an older rented apartment in Shanghai.
Lawyer explains rights over athlete earnings
The controversy also prompted discussion about the legal rights of young athletes over money earned while they were minors.
Chen Songtao (name transliterated from Mandarin), a lawyer from Zhejiang Fengguo Law Firm, explained that under Chinese law, competition bonuses earned by minors legally belong to the child, not their parents or guardians.
He said guardians are responsible for managing a child’s assets in the child’s best interests and cannot use those funds for unrelated purposes.
Source: dotdotnews
Under Article 35 of China’s Civil Code, guardians may only dispose of a minor’s property when it is necessary to protect the child’s interests, such as for education, healthcare or living expenses.
Mr Chen added that once an individual turns 18, guardianship ends and the person gains full civil capacity, meaning they have the right to manage and request the return of assets held on their behalf.
He said Zhang’s desire to manage her own finances at age 22 is legally valid, and if a guardian mismanaged or converted a child’s assets for personal use, the individual may seek restitution through legal channels.
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Featured image adapted from Dot News and Shangguan News on Sina.
