08/02/2026

ON SUNDAY February 8, 2026 theSunday Special VII

M OVING abroad to start over with a new life in a foreign land is a bold move. It is a decision that comes with its own set of challenges, but it is also a chance to start over and create a better life. Actress Azah Aziz moved halfway around the world to Montreal, Canada, 22 years ago with her husband to start a family, leaving behind a burgeoning career and the glamorous life that comes with it. In Montreal, Azah took on the role of a full-time mother to three sons and got accustomed to a quieter life while her longtime fans back in Malaysia still followed the life journey of their favourite star via social media. It was not until 2023 that Azah announced that she was prepar ing to return to her beloved home country for good. Then the divorce rumours began to spread. The return was prompted by her hus band’s work relocation. Azah’s relation ship with her husband is stronger than ever despite having to travel back and forth to Dubai, where he is currently based. It has now been more than two years since Azah relocated to Malaysia and she is just happier than ever. “The past two and a half years have EHHQ JUHDW , ZDV EXV\ LQ WKH ¿UVW \HDU ZKHQ R̆ HUV WR DFW VWDUWHG SRXULQJ LQ , DP WDNLQJ D \HDU R̆ DFWLQJ WR MXVW VHWWOH GRZQ and do some travelling. I’m planning to start working again this year,” she explained. T KH \HDUV VKH VSHQW LQ &DQDGD ÀHZ by as she dedicated her life to raising her three sons, who are now all grown up. It was not at all easy since Azah and her husband decided not to hire any personal helper or nanny. She did everything on her own. “My eldest son is 29 years old now. Looking back, I always ask my husband, µ+RZ GLG ZH SXOO WKLV R̆ "¶ , MXVW GRQ¶W NQRZ KRZ , GLG LW EXW ,¶P GH¿QLWHO\ SURXG of myself,” she added.

The most important thing at my age now is to stay positive.”

Azah

*RRG IRU WKHP EXW , ¿QG VRPH RI WKHP FDQ be quite spoiled and arrogant. Back then, I remember all of us actors being very down to earth and having a lot of respect for fellow people in the industry,” she said. She also noticed how the hours spent on location are not as long as before. Working with multiple cameras cut the ¿OPLQJ WLPH VKRUW 0DQ\ VFHQHV FDQ EH shot in one day. Outside of her industry, she is proud of how fast the country is progressing. Even her sons are impressed by the vast development that has taken place, especially in Kuala Lumpur. “The biggest misconception is that people always think that living abroad must be so nice and that everything is better in a foreign country. My life in Montreal was great, but everything is so expensive. After living in Montreal for 22 years, I got bored and it felt like the city had lost its charm. That’s why I was so happy to be back in my homeland,” she added. Azah and her family divide their time between Kuala Lumpur, where she now lives with her eldest son and Dubai, where her husband is based for work with their second son. Her youngest boy is currently in China completing his internship while learning the language before furthering his studies in Australia. Aaron, her eldest son, is loving his new life in Malaysia as much as Azah does. Azah spends her time catching up with friends, attending social events and going on her daily morning run. The result is her \RXWKIXO ¿JXUH DQG UDGLDQW DSSHDUDQFH DW 53. She has been constantly complimented on her appearance and asked what her secret is. “There is no secret. I just stick to my regular skincare routine. I always have moisturiser and sunscreen on, even when I’m at home. Once a month, I will get a facial, work out consistently and eat well. The most important thing at my age now is to stay positive. I ignore what people think or say about me. I keep my distance from negativity. I just want to be happy for myself,” she added. Azah loves travelling and the out doors. Just last year, she climbed Mount Kinabalu and Mount Bromo in Indonesia. Running and hiking are her favourite activities to do outside of acting. She loves travelling just as much, especially H[SORULQJ GL̆ HUHQW VLGHV RI $VLD QRZ WKDW she is back living here for good. “ $W P\ DJH QRZ ,¶P H[FLWHG WR ¿QDOO\ retire comfortably in Malaysia, but I still want to continue travelling and exploring the world. As for my acting, I just want to JR ZLWK WKH ÀRZ , DOUHDG\ KDG WKH WDVWH RI success very early on in my career. Being able to make a comeback more than 20 years later and even receive a nomination for an acting award feels a bit strange to me. But I’m beyond excited. I am so blessed,” she said with a smile.

Azah Aziz returns home to a new chapter

Azah ... “The most important thing at my age now is to stay positive.”

BY HANNEF ESQUANDER

After more than two decades abroad, a local actress is back home

Re-entering the Malaysian entertainment scene upon her return after such a long break was quite a challenge, too. There was a point in the begin ning when Azah was second guessing herself. How many things had changed since she left back in the late nineties WHUUL¿HG KHU HVSHFLDOO\ ZLWK fans on social media and online

just decided to push aside my fear and give it a go. Surprisingly, I was welcomed with open arms and to this day, I am still very overwhelmed by the positive response. It feels great to be back,” she said. Then and now The ageless beauty is still catching up with the changes that have taken place in the local entertainment industry. She has been observing, learning and taking notes. “ ,¶P ED̈ HG E\ WKH VWDU WUHDWPHQWV WKDW some of these newcomers are getting. They have their own entourage, including personal assistants, a manager and even a bodyguard who follows them everywhere.

trolls who keep spreading false news. “I receive great support from my hus band, family, friends and especially fans who still remember me. They had been asking for me to make a comeback, so I