Sophia Michaels
Lisa Ling’s journey to success as an acclaimed journalist is filled with challenges. She emerged in a predominantly white media space as a former co-host of “The View.” Ling confronted not only the external barriers associated with being a Chinese American but also personal struggles stemming from her family’s dynamics. Her parents’ turbulent marriage, pressured by societal norms, created a challenging environment for Ling and her sister following their divorce—an uncommon event for immigrant families.
After her mother distanced herself, Ling was primarily raised by her father, which compelled her to mature quickly. Her father’s health struggles culminated in his passing in 2023, which was particularly difficult after their close bond. Despite her chaotic upbringing, Ling found her footing in journalism—her true passion. However, her journey to motherhood was fraught with heartache and infertility before she and her husband, Paul Song, finally welcomed their child. Ling’s professional world also brought her pain, evidenced when her sister was detained by North Korean authorities while on assignment. Despite these hardships, Ling has carved out a meaningful life amid the trials she faced.
Lisa Ling’s Parents’ Troubled Marriage Left Lasting Effects
Lisa Ling reflected on her parents’ ill-fated marriage, which was heavily influenced by external pressures. She described it as somewhat arranged, recalling how her father, Douglas Ling, was encouraged to marry her mother, Mary Wang, after a brief relationship with a white woman faced disapproval from his family. Their incompatibility was evident, which Ling and her sister, Laura, witnessed throughout their lives. She recounted that their parents’ challenging relationship created a difficult childhood, which she characterized as far from pleasant.
The divorce when Lisa was just 7 added complexity to her life as an Asian American, intensifying feelings of isolation. Ling admitted that the aftermath left her traumatized, which made her doubtful about her future in marriage.
Growing Up with Her Father After the Divorce
Post-divorce, Mary Ling moved to Los Angeles while Lisa and Laura stayed with their father in Sacramento, only visiting their mother during summer breaks. With her father often preoccupied due to work demands, Lisa took on parental responsibilities at an age where she should still have been a child, leading to a loss of her own youth. The absence of a maternal figure made her feel somewhat lost during her formative years, with her grandmother unable to provide the guidance needed to navigate adolescence.
The complicated feelings towards her mother ultimately led to Lisa seeking therapy to confront her emotions, a journey that inspired her to bring Mary back to her roots in Taiwan.
Lisa Ling’s Life Journey: Triumphs and Trials
Understanding Forgiveness
Lisa Ling reflected on her tumultuous relationship with her mother, Mary, which has since evolved for the better. On the podcast “Now What? with Brooke Shields” in 2023, she shared, “It allowed me a deeper understanding of her experiences.” Lisa now enjoys a supportive bond with her mother, who plays a vital role in her children’s lives.
Loss and Heartache: A Father’s Battle
Lisa Ling witnessed her father’s prolonged health struggles over the years. In 2016, Douglas Ling faced a serious heart condition and was prescribed Klonopin for sleep issues, which Lisa believes triggered a downward spiral. She recalled his erratic behavior following the prescription and shared on Facebook, “He began hallucinating and had uncontrollable body movements.” Despite planning for what seemed to be the inevitable end, there was a brief improvement in his health. However, his condition worsened again, leading to a series of transitions between nursing homes before his eventual move to memory care.
Douglas endured severe restless body syndrome, unable to stay still longer than ten minutes. Lisa described his last three years as “truly torturous.” He passed away on November 23, 2023, leaving Lisa heartbroken, as she expressed on Instagram, “My heart hurts too much to post anything substantive here, so all I’ll say is, I love and miss you so much already, Daddy.”
Infertility Challenges Before Motherhood
After three years of marriage, Lisa Ling and Paul Song quickly conceived but faced heartbreak with a missed miscarriage early in the pregnancy. Recalling the moment a doctor informed her that there was no heartbeat, she described it as “like a knife through the heart.” Ling took the loss heavily, blaming herself for what happened. The couple experienced another miscarriage before finally becoming parents.
Ling went into her third pregnancy with trepidation, anxious until the eighth month. Eventually, they welcomed their daughter Jett in March 2013 and another daughter, Ray, in June 2016, overcoming their previous heartaches.
A Sister’s Ordeal in North Korea
In 2009, Lisa Ling’s sister, Laura Ling, faced a dire situation after being detained in North Korea. Along with her colleague, Euna Lee, they were arrested for crossing the border while reporting on North Korean refugees. They received a harsh 12-year labor camp sentence.
Lisa described the moment she learned of Laura’s arrest as “the most terrifying moment of my personal life.” Luckily, Laura and Euna were released in August 2009 after Bill Clinton negotiated their pardon with Kim Jong Il.
With determination, Lisa rallied diplomatic support to secure her sister’s freedom, leading to their shared narrative in the 2011 book, “Somewhere Inside: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s Fight to Bring Her Home.”
