Patricia Mok once had 'only $1' in bank account, regrets not learning how to manage finances

Even at the peak of her fame, local actress Patricia Mok said she had times when she struggled financially.

In a recent interview with Lianhe Zaobao, she teared up as she looked back on her career.

"I never imagined it would last 30 years. The hard work and effort I put in are things many people don't see. In everyone's eyes, I'm either fierce or always laughing and joking. Few people ask me if my work is tough. Many people don't know that I'm very disciplined when I'm working," she said.

Patricia, who turns 55 next month, first joined the inaugural Star Search in 1988 and also The Fame Awards in 1995 but was eliminated in both talent competitions.

She entered showbiz as an extra in the 1996 English sitcom Happy Belly where she met Jack Neo and got her break acting in his variety show Comedy Nite.

She quit her full-time job in 1997 to sign with Jack’s company J Team.

"I didn't hesitate, I wasn't worried about income, and I didn't discuss it with my family," she said.

Patricia told the Chinese daily that she received many opportunities working with J Team, sometimes earning five figures a month.

But every career has its ups and downs.

"I once had only $1 left in my bank account... I had several good years, then a slump. It was terrifying, I used up all my savings," she shared.

Her biggest regret was not learning how to manage her finances at the time, and she said she only started saving a few years ago when she bought her home.

In a 2024 interview with AsiaOne, Patricia had revealed she didn't have enough money to buy an apartment because she didn't have savings.

She used to spend her money purchasing luxury products and going out for drinks.

"When you are young, you want to buy branded goods and enjoy your life, but you must save money. Because nobody taught me that before, so now I want to educate young people about this," she stressed.

She told us her friends helped her out, lending her a five-figure sum.

She managed to purchase a three-room HDB flat in 2021 and at the time of the interview, she still owed money to one of her friends who had helped her.

Patricia told us then: "I bought the flat during the Covid-19 period, so although we are already in recovery now, it is still not as good as before, so I hope that more people will look for us to film shows or livestreams, just give us jobs!"

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