Shirley Chung Credits Her Husband For "Holding It Together" Amid Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis

In June 2024, chef and "Dumpling Queen" Shirley Chung, who appeared on Season 14 of Top Chef, revealed she was diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer.

Shirley shared the news on Instagram, stating the diagnosis came after "a series of dental issues." She said her husband has been her rock.

Shirley announced her cancer diagnosis on July 27, 2024. She informed her fans about her health by posting videos and photos of her shaving her head. In the video, she made the first cut and allowed her husband, Jimmy, to do the rest. Jimmy also shaved his head, which appears to be in solidarity with his wife.

While discussing how she found out she had a tumor in her tongue and her treatment plans, Shirley credited her husband for "holding it together for us" by asking necessary questions about her treatment.

The couple married in 2006. They were reportedly working in Silicon Valley at the time before Shirley found her passion for cooking. In 2017, they became business partners and co-own Ms. Chi, a Culver, City, Calif. "progressive Chinese cuisine" restaurant.

Before her diagnosis, Shirley and Jimmy celebrated five years of being in business on Instagram.

"Marry someone who can always have fun with you!" she captioned the post in October 2023. "Happy anniversary to us! Our baby @mschicafe is turning 5 tomorrow, and we are still kinda happily married. Not too bad for the couple who met when clubbing. Cheers to many more years of craziness."

On July 27, Shirley and Jimmy announced they made the "difficult decision" to close down Ms. Chi to focus on the Bravo alum's recovery. Fortunately, Shirley stated in her initial post that her tumor is "shrinking," and her speech and appetite are improving. She said she looks forward to beating cancer and declared, "Shirley Chung 2.0 will be reborn in 2025."

We're sending Shirley and her family positive and healing thoughts!