HONG KONG - Macau singer and TV host Maria Cordero was physically abused by her first husband, she says in a talk show that will be broadcast in Hong Kong on Monday (June 5).

In promotional clips for TVB programme Litigation Home, the 63-year-old is seen crying as she recalls how she was abused by her ex-husband, a Filipino pianist, to the point where he would use knives on her.

According to an Apple Daily report, she had married the much older man at the age of 18, while he was 40. When he lost his job a year into their marriage, she became the sold breadwinner of the household, doing odd jobs to support him as well as six children - four of which were from his previous marriage.

He then had an affair with a domestic helper and got her pregnant, too, says Apple Daily.

Cordero divorced him in 1989, and married a Portuguese engineer by the name of Rick a decade later.

Nicknamed Fei Ma, or Fat Mama, the jovial host of Portuguese and Chinese descent is known for singing songs such as movie Prison On Fire's (1987) theme song The Light Of Friendship, as well as hosting popular TV cooking shows such as Maria's Kitchen.