Alysa Liu family: Inside the story of Olympic figure skater's father Arthur Liu, surrogacy journey, and close bond with her siblings
Times of India
by GLOBAL SPORTS DESKFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Alysa Liu, the Olympic gold medalist figure skater, grew up in a unique and close-knit family led by her father, Arthur Liu, who raised five children as a single parent through surrogacy. Born on August 8, 2005, Alysa is the oldest of five siblings—Selina, Julia, Joshua, Justin, and another triplet sibling—and shares the same surrogate mother as her younger triplet brothers and sisters. Despite being born through surrogacy with anonymous egg donors, Alysa has always been supported by her family, which played a crucial role in shaping her personality and career choices, including her brief retirement to focus on family time.
Arthur Liu, who was born in a small village in China without electricity, immigrated to the United States, earned a law degree, and decided to start a family later in life. He chose surrogacy to build his family of five children. When Alysa was young, she noticed her different appearance compared to typical Chinese children and asked her father about her background. Arthur explained the truth about her origins in 2013, revealing that she and her triplet siblings shared the same surrogate mother. Alysa was not shocked by this revelation but appreciated her father’s honesty.
The Liu family, including Arthur’s mother Shu, who moved from China to help raise the children, grew up in Richmond, California. Despite living in a single bedroom with three bunk beds, Alysa recalls those days fondly as filled with fun and laughter. Her siblings have always supported her skating career, even attending her first live competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Alysa has repeatedly emphasized how much her family means to her, both on and off the ice, highlighting their role as her biggest source of strength.
This story matters because it showcases resilience, love, and the power of family bonds in overcoming challenges. Arthur Liu’s journey from a modest village in China to raising a successful athlete and four other children through surrogacy is a testament to determination and love. Alysa’s openness about her origins and her family’s unwavering support illustrate how strong familial relationships can shape an individual’s success and happiness, making their story both inspiring and universally relatable.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026