Man divorces ill wife for losing hair, refuses to pay for treatment: 'Never seen such a ruthless man'

The 36-year-old woman said the change in her appearance led to mockery from children in the neighbourhood, and growing humiliation from her husband. (Representational image: Unsplash)

A woman in central China has alleged that her husband divorced her after she developed severe hair loss caused by a skin disease. The case that has sparked widespread sympathy and anger on social media, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

The 36-year-old woman, identified by her surname Li, lives in Shangqiu in Henan province. She said her husband began treating her with disdain after she fell ill two years ago. “I have devoted myself to the family. I take care of our child, wash clothes, prepare food and do other domestic chores,” Li told Henan TV, adding that her husband “did not care for her at all.”

She also said that she went to the media out of desperation, hoping for support after being neglected by the person she depended on most.

Doctors diagnosed her condition as vitiligo, which caused a large patch of hair to turn grey before falling out. The change in her appearance led to mockery from children in the neighbourhood and, she said, growing humiliation from her husband.

‘He said I would make him lose face': Wife

Li said her husband stopped taking her to family gatherings or social events because he felt she made him “lose face.” According to the report, he never accompanied her to hospital nor asked about her condition, and refused to pay for her treatment altogether.

“He said I would make him lose face,” she told reporters. She said she became increasingly despondent and often felt in a daze because of his behaviour. After 16 years of marriage, she said she had no choice but to accept his proposal for divorce. Custody of their child was granted to her. The husband has not publicly responded to her accusations, according to SCMP.