• #SchoolForLife
  • Food
  • Family
  • Beauty & Health
  • Style
  • Great Women
  • Videos
  • Events/Win
  • #SchoolForLife
  • Hair Awards
  • Great Escape
  • Explore Singapore
  • Food
    • Food
    • Asian Recipes
    • Celebrity Recipes
    • Cooking Tips
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Eating Out
    • Festive Food
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Western Recipes
  • Videos
  • Family
    • Family
    • Parenting
    • Sex & Marriage
    • Travel
  • Home Ideas
    • Home Ideas
    • Decor Tips
    • Organising
    • Appliances
    • Domestic Diva Awards
    • Entertaining
  • Beauty & Health
    • Beauty & Health
    • Skincare
    • Makeup
    • Hair
    • Awards
    • Diet & Nutrition
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
  • Fashion
  • Career
  • Money
  • Real Life
  • Great Women
  • Entertainment
  • EVENTS/WIN
  • Also available at:
Privacy Menu
SPH Media

Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. All rights reserved.

  • #SchoolForLife
  • Food
  • Family
  • Beauty & Health
  • Style
  • Great Women
  • Videos
  • Events/Win

Great Women

Kim Lim On Her Divorce, Being A Single Mother, And Building A Beauty Empire

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Great Women

Kim Lim On Her Divorce, Being A Single Mother, And Building A Beauty Empire

From her divorce to starting her own aesthetics clinics, this is what Kim Lim 2.0 looks like – in her own words

August 13, 2020
Kim Lim Divorce

Credit: Kim Lim/Instagram

Last July, socialite Kim Lim finalised her divorce from her ex-husband Kho Bin Kai, after more than 3 years of marriage. If you recall, the two had gotten married in a low-profile ceremony back in 2016, and had their son Kyden in 2017. Football star Christiano Ronaldo even came down to Singapore to visit her after she had given birth, prompting speculations that he’s the father.

Kim revealed that her relationship with Kho had lost its spark, and the couple had been on and off for the past year.

“Rather than trying to survive in an unhappy marriage, it is better to give each other the freedom they yearn for,” she says suavely.

“Actually, we’ve separated over a year ago, so the divorce wasn’t a decision that was made on impulse. Though we can’t be husband and wife, he is still my son’s father. A very responsible father at that.”

Kim Lim

Since her separation at the end of last year, Kim had moved into the home of her father Peter Lim and stepmum Cherie Lim in order to have her family to help take care of her child. She said that living together has brought the family’s relationship closer together, and even when they were separated, her ex-husband did not miss family gatherings during New Year and her son’s birthday.

READ NEXT

Kim Lim Shows How To Wear The Perfect Bold Red Lip

Kim Lim, Fann Wong And Other Celebs That Threw Over The Top Kids’ Parties

Steal These Style Secrets From Socialite Kim Lim

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/great-women/kim-lim-divorce-single-mother-beauty-papilla-haircare-illumia-therapeutics/
Kim Lim On Her Divorce, Being A Single Mother, And Building A Beauty Empire
On her divorce
custom

Kim shared that her son’s father is a man of little words. When she suggested divorce, he remained silent.

She also made it clear that it wasn’t a rash decision. She shared that the two had repeatedly reunited and separated over the past year, and she had hoped that the relationship would work out.

In a 2018 interview with ICON, Kim mentioned that the two lived different lives. She is outspoken while he is quiet; she’s into fashion while he dresses simply; she loves sashimi while he only eats cooked foods; she is famous on social media while he doesn’t like the platform.

View this post on Instagram

Thank you all for the birthday wishes ❤️ we hope we can celebrate with everybody next year ??

A post shared by KIM LIM (@kimlimhl) on Jul 18, 2020 at 4:00am PDT

On her business ventures
custom

The newly-divorced Kim is now turning her attention to her career. While venturing into the world of aesthetic medicine seems like a 180-degree change for the fashion influencer, she isn’t a complete stranger in this field.

“I am still passionate about fashion but I wish to carve a niche for myself.”

Teaming up with an industry insider, she set up two aesthetic clinics from scratch. The first, is haircare centre Papilla Haircare, which opened last year at Ngee Ann City, and the second, aesthetics clinic Illumia Therapeutics, which is located on the fifth floor of Wheelock Centre.

Kim recounts: “The most memorable experience was the day before the opening of the haircare centre. The construction company wasn’t able to finish work on time and in the end, the entire team had to stay behind to clean and finish last-minute preparations until 5am in the morning.”

The two clinics currently employ 23 staff and has an average age of about 30, with Kim being the youngest. Because of that, the heiress felt like she has to work harder. After the clinics opened, she worked six-day weeks, resting only on Sunday when the clinics are closed.

“I feel like my patience has improved,” says Kim of her journey so far as a business owner. She recalls encountering unreasonable customers who screamed at her and her employees, but is quick to add that these experiences helped her grow.

View this post on Instagram

Doing our part to help ❤️ We are all a part of the same community. Be strong ?? Keep up the faith ok ? #sgunited

A post shared by KIM LIM (@kimlimhl) on Apr 17, 2020 at 1:55am PDT

On her billionaire father, Peter Lim
custom

 

When asked why she didn’t start her business under the Thomson Medical umbrella (owned by her father billionaire Peter Lim), so that she can utilise their resources as a back-up plan, Kim explains: “I want to depend on myself to create a brand. When I was 18, I told my father that I wanted to create an aesthetics clinic, but he didn’t take my word seriously. So I decided to challenge myself, to do everything on my own, and learn and grow from the experience.”

In Kim’s eyes, her father is a doting yet strict parent. He doesn’t say much and has great expectations for his children. She adds, “I was excitedly sharing the results from the opening with him, but his response was lukewarm.”

“He said that this was only a short-term indication, and the final results would depend on how the business continues.” Kim was a little upset at her father’s words, but she understands that it is his way of encouraging her.

Kim’s long-term plans are to expand the business into other regions such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. She also hopes to launch hair care products under the Papilla Haircare label.

View this post on Instagram

Doing our part to educate the elderly ❤️ @papillahaircare @illumiatherapeutics.sg @illumiamedical #fightthevirus

A post shared by KIM LIM (@kimlimhl) on Feb 23, 2020 at 3:20am PST

Kim Lim 2.0
custom

As restrictions ease with Phase 2, Kim is back in the groove of things. When asked how she felt about the end of her carefree days as she juggles her two businesses, Kim smiles and says: “My only regret is not pursuing this dream earlier.”

Text: Sylvester Ng/ICON

Translation: Ho Guo Xiong

Read Next

Meet Yvonne Gao – Great Women Of Our Time 2020 Science & Technology Nominee

Meet Anna Vanessa Haotanto – Great Women Of Our Time 2020 Finance & Commerce Nominee

Meet Ka Yi Ling – Great Women Of Our Time 2020 Sports, Health & Wellness Nominee

View this post on Instagram

@papillahaircare ❤️

A post shared by KIM LIM (@kimlimhl) on Jun 15, 2020 at 8:55pm PDT

  • TAGS:
  • Kim Lim
SHARE THIS ON

What’s Hot

Great Women

"Freezing My Eggs Was The Best Decision ...

Great Women

How Yvon Bock's Business Supports Breast...

Great Women

This Tech Leader Says Humanities Bring V...

Great Women

 Meet The Great Women Of Our Time 2022

Great Women

9 Female-Owned Singaporean Businesses To...

Great Women

Here's What You Need To Know About Ectop...

Great Women

An Author And Entrepreneur, Vivian Goh H...

Great Women

She Bravely Quit Her Job In The Midst Of...

Don’t Miss These
  • Awards Get A Year-Round Beauty Glow & Sun Protection With This S...
  • Awards Increase Your Hair Growth And Decrease Hair Loss With Thi...
Editor’s Picks
  • Fashion A Day In The Life Of HK Actress Grace Chan, Her Wardrobe Must-Haves, Mom Guil...
  • Real Life Head To This Hidden Corner At Keppel Bay Before It Closes Down
  • Parenting Modern Mums: "I Practice Respectful Parenting But I Set Firm Boundaries"
  • Entertainment Fiona Xie Is Still A Romantic, But She Is Spreading Her Wings Like Never Before
  • Great Women "Freezing My Eggs Was The Best Decision I've Made"
  • Food 6 Places Where You Can Donate Your Extra CNY Goodies
Don't Miss Out Ever Again!
Tips & tricks to stay sane + win invites to our events!

By signing up, you indicate that you have read and agreed with our Privacy Statement
Footer Menu
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Policy
?>
SPH Magazine

Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. All rights reserved.