Meet 69-Year-Old- Ong Bee Yan: From Silver-Haired Fashion Icon to a Mother Turning Grief into Hope

Singapore’s Ong Bee Yan fondly known as Yan Ong is a woman of many lives. To some, she is the striking silver-haired model redefining beauty standards. To others, she is an entrepreneur, a grandmother, and an advocate for active ageing. But at the heart of her journey lies a deeply personal story—one of love, loss, and extraordinary resilience.

Ong never imagined she would enter the world of modelling. In 2019, a chance encounter changed everything when a young designer invited her to be part of a brand campaign. Camera-shy and hesitant, she chose courage over comfort.

“I am camera shy, but I thought to myself, if a stranger has so much faith in me, why should I doubt myself?” she recalls.

That single decision transformed her life. With her striking silver hair and natural elegance, her first shoot with Graye Studio caught the fashion industry’s attention. What began as a one-time opportunity soon blossomed into a thriving modelling career. She went on to collaborate with major brands such as UOB and IT Cosmetics, and was featured in publications like Her World, Today Online, Mothership, and even the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.

“I decided to face my fears, step out of my comfort zone, and challenge myself. I chose to embrace my age instead of letting it define me,” she says.

But Yan’s story is not just about reinvention it is also about enduring heartbreak.

“I miss him every day,” she says softly. Her son, Rong Liang, passed away at 38 after battling pancreatic cancer. Yet, his presence continues to shape her life in quiet, profound ways.

“As creatures of habit, we return to places that remind us of him,” she shares. “Even when we try somewhere new, we imagine what he would order. Some days, I still wonder if all of this was real.”

A Life of Reinvention

Even before modelling, Yan had already proven her resilience. In 2016, after her husband Richard Koh was retrenched, the couple launched a cold brew coffee business, 1degreeC. Recognising that their target audience was younger, Yan stepped into the unfamiliar world of social media.

“I didn’t know much about Instagram,” she admits. “So I worked with my son’s friend to build our presence.”

Today, through her Instagram account @grey_evolution, she shares glimpses of her life from family moments to behind-the-scenes shoots encouraging others, especially seniors, to embrace life with curiosity and courage.

“I hope to inspire people to step out of their comfort zones and realise it’s never too late to try something new,” she says.

Her perspective on life has also been shaped by caring for her mother, who suffered from dementia.

“It was a privilege, but also painful. Watching her memory fade made me realise I don’t want my loved ones to go through that,” she reflects, adding that staying mentally active has helped her maintain her own well-being.

Yan is equally committed to physical fitness, regularly engaging in strength and weight training—sometimes outperforming people decades younger.

Turning Grief into Purpose

In 2023, Yan channelled her grief into something powerful—founding Fashion for Cancer (FFC), a charity fashion show aimed at supporting cancer patients.

The idea was born during a family trip to Kyoto. Watching her son walk with quiet confidence, she had a thought that would change everything.

“I wanted to give him one day of happiness,” she says. “And then I thought—what if this could help others too?”

What started as a personal dream quickly became a collective movement. Designers, brands, and creatives came together, volunteering their time and skills to bring her vision to life.

“It showed me how generous people can be,” she says. “So many gave their time without expecting anything in return.”

Despite his deteriorating health, Rong Liang walked the runway at the inaugural show.

“It was mind over matter,” Yan recalls. “He didn’t want cancer to define him. He wanted to be there—for me.”

He passed away just one month later.

That moment his courage, his presence became the soul of Fashion for Cancer.

A Movement of Hope

The impact of FFC has been remarkable. Its first edition raised nearly $140,000 for the National Cancer Centre Singapore Cancer Fund, helping patients struggling with treatment costs.

Now, the initiative continues to grow. Future editions aim to raise even more funds while showcasing cancer survivors from all walks of life—each story a testament to resilience and hope. The event will also honour Rong Liang’s dream through a screening of his short film.

Yan’s efforts have also sparked wider community support, from charity runs to creative fundraising initiatives, proving that compassion can ripple outward in powerful ways.

Living with Purpose

Beyond her advocacy, Yan continues to innovate. She is exploring sustainable ideas such as creating foot scrubs from recycled coffee grounds, while also hoping to involve special needs individuals in meaningful work.

An animal lover, she supports stray feeders and donates half her modelling income to charities such as Hope Dog Rescue, Cat Welfare Society, and Animals Asia.

Her work, in many ways, is fuelled by purpose and by memory.

“I ‘zone out’ during shoots and become a different person,” she says with a smile. “But before I begin, I say a prayer and remind myself to give my best.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to conduct workshops on skincare, styling, and practical skills like soap-making—helping others not just feel confident, but also build livelihoods.

“If you look good on the outside, you feel good on the inside,” she says.

More Than Reinvention

Yan Ong’s journey is more than a story of late-life success. It is a story of courage, of choosing growth over fear, and of transforming unimaginable loss into a force for good.

Her life stands as a powerful reminder: it is never too late to begin again and even in grief, there is the possibility of purpose.

And in everything she does, the love of a mother endures quietly, powerfully, and forever.