Arthur Liu is the proud father of American figure skater Alysa Liu. He has a strong tale of bravery, diligence, and devotion to his family. While everyone knows Alysa for her skating, few know about the man behind her success. This is Arthur Liu’s story.
Quick Facts About Arthur Liu
| Full Name | Arthur Liu |
| Birthdate | N/A |
| Age | Around 50–55 years old (as of 2025) |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Husband/Wife | Divorced from Yan “Mary” Qingxin |
| Education | UC Hastings College of the Law |
| Parents | Names not known; from a rural village in Sichuan, China |
| Siblings | Not known |
| Children | 5 – Alysa Liu (Daughter), Selina Liu (Daughter), Joshua Liu (Son), Justin Liu (Son), and Julia Liu (Daughter) |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $1 million |
Early Life in China
Arthur Liu was born in a small mountain village in Sichuan, China. It was a simple life there, yet Arthur had grand aspirations. In 1989, when he was 25 years old, he became involved in the Tiananmen Square protests. These were in support of democracy and freedom in China.
Following the protests, Arthur was targeted by the Chinese government. It was no longer safe for him to remain. He took the courageous decision to leave his homeland and migrate to the United States as a political refugee.
Beginning a New Life in the U.S.
Arthur moved to California and worked hard to create a new life. He attended law school and attended UC Hastings College of Law. In 1998, he was admitted as a lawyer. He then established his own law office in Oakland.
Although he abandoned China, Arthur never forgot the reason he had left. He still believed in human rights and freedom. It influenced the way he brought up his family.
A Unique Family Journey
Arthur Liu is a single father with five children. All of his children were born via in vitro fertilization (IVF). They were gestated by surrogate mothers, and the egg donors were anonymous.
Arthur was married to Yan “Mary” Qingxin when Alysa was born. Although they divorced later on, Mary remains the legal parent of the children and assists with caring for them.
Arthur’s Children
Alysa Liu – Oldest child; Olympic figure skater
Selina Liu – High school volleyball player
Joshua Liu – Younger son (one of triplets)
Justin Liu – Younger son (one of triplets)
Julia Liu – Younger daughter (one of triplets)
Arthur has always been extremely active in his children’s lives, particularly Alysa’s skating.
Helping Alysa Shine
Arthur saw Alysa’s potential when she was still little. He accompanied her to skating lessons and competitions. He scheduled her, chose coaches, and oversaw her training. Alysa was a top skater in the U.S., earning titles and going to the Olympics. Behind each great moment stood her dad, cheering her on.
Targeted by Spying Operation
Arthur and Alysa in 2022 were the target of a serious incident. According to the U.S. government, Chinese spies attempted to gather private information about them. The FBI revealed that Arthur was referred to as “Dissident 3” in the reports of the spy.
A spy even impersonated an Olympic official and attempted to obtain their passport information. All this was an attempt to harass and intimidate Chinese dissidents based in the U.S.
Arthur thought the spying was done to silence him. But he was not going to be intimidated. He allowed Alysa to compete at the Beijing Winter Olympics after the U.S. assured additional protection.
READ ALSO: Alysa Liu Net worth, Age, Boyfriend, Family, Facts & More
A Voice for Freedom
Arthur Liu remains a voice for human rights. He is a proud man who came from where he did and believes in what he does. He instills in his children the importance of freedom, perseverance, and courage.
His is a tale of love and strength. He began from scratch in a foreign land, raised five children by himself, and financed a daughter who became famous.
