MasterChef judge Poh Ling Yeow tells of guilt over mum Christina’s death in The Australian Women’s Weekly magazine

The MasterChef judge has opened up about her biggest regret over her mum’s death and revealed what she’s learned about love after two failed marriages.

Poh Ling Yeow has opened up about her “insurmountable guilt” over her mother’s death.

The MasterChef Australia judge was working overseas when mum Christina lost her battle with cancer in November 2022, and says not being there is something she’ll always regret.

“She was ill, she encouraged me to go, but I shouldn’t have – it will be a wound forever,” the Adelaide TV cook tells The Australian Women’s Weekly, on sale today.

“She never complained once in all her treatment – so stoic. I was convinced she was going to win the battle and buy at least a couple more months, if not years.

“I took her courage for granted, but it turned out to be the worst rolling of a dice ever.”

Poh Ling Yeow with mother Christina in 2009.

Ling Yeow, 50, travelled to the Northern Territory for special photo shoot for the magazine’s Christmas edition.

The twice-divorced artist and chef also revealed that she’s happily single – and doesn’t want to “lose herself” in a relationship again.

“I don’t know how I’d operate with someone else in my life. I’ve been through two marriages, and I think I need to find a new model. I think keeping separate residences is brilliant,” Ling Yeow told the magazine.

Poh Ling Yeow for the Australian Women's Weekly. Picture: Peter Brew-Bevan.

Poh Ling Yeow for the Australian Women's Weekly. Picture: Peter Brew-Bevan.

Poh Ling Yeow for the Australian Women's Weekly. Picture: Peter Brew-Bevan.

“You don’t have to fight about all those daft domestic things that shouldn’t really be part of love. So much stuff that destroys love has nothing to do with it.

Ling Yeow first tied the knot with Matthew Phipps in 1989 before the couple split after nine years together. Phipps went on to marry Ling Yeow’s best friend Sarah Rich.

In 2009, she met Jonathan Bennett on the set of MasterChef, and the pair exchanged vows in 2014. They broke up about three years ago.

“Maybe I’m running solo from here on. The thought would have horrified me just a few years ago but now, I’m loving the ability to duck and weave as I please,” Ling Yeow said.

More: womensweekly.com.au