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Mao Kobayashi
小林 麻央
Mao Kobayashi died 2017.png
Mao Kobayashi on her wedding day in 2010
Born
Mao Kobayashi

(1982-07-21)21 July 1982
Died 22 June 2017(2017-06-22) (aged 34)
Aobadai, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
Other names Mao Horikoshi
Occupation Actress, newscaster
Years active 2003–2017
Spouse(s)
Ichikawa Ebizō XI
(m. 2010)
Children 2
Relatives Maya Kobayashi (sister)

Mao Kobayashi (小林 麻央, Kobayashi Mao; 21 July 1982 – 22 June 2017) was a famous Japanese TV personality. She worked as a newscaster and actress. She was also a popular weather reporter for Fuji TV.

Early Life and Education

Mao Kobayashi was born in 1982 in Ojiya, Niigata, Japan. She was the younger of two children. Her family moved many times when she was young. They finally settled in Arakawa, Tokyo when she was in high school. Her older sister is Maya Kobayashi, who was also a TV personality.

Mao went to Kokugakuin Senior High School. Later, in 2005, she finished her studies at Sophia University. She earned a degree in psychology.

Her Career in Television

While still at university, Mao Kobayashi became well-known. She appeared on a popular talk show called Koi no kara Sawagi. In October 2003, she started working as a weather reporter. She reported the weather for Fuji TV's Mezamashi Saturday until September 2006.

In April 2004, she became a host for another Fuji TV show, Junk Sports. Later, in October 2006, Mao became a presenter for the News Zero program. This show was on the Nippon Television Network.

Acting Roles

Mao Kobayashi also tried acting. In June 2004, she made her acting debut. She played a flight attendant in a TV drama called Division 1: Pink Hip Girl. This show was on Fuji TV.

Family Life

During an interview for News Zero, Mao met a famous kabuki actor. His name was Ichikawa Ebizō XI. They announced their engagement in November 2009. The couple officially got married on March 3, 2010. Their wedding reception was held on July 29, 2010.

After getting married, Mao Kobayashi stopped working in television. She wanted to focus on her family. She had two children. Her daughter, Reika, was born on July 25, 2011. Her son, Kangen, was born on March 22, 2013.

Her Public Journey with Illness

In October 2014, Mao Kobayashi was diagnosed with breast cancer. She kept her illness private for a while. On June 9, 2016, her husband shared her condition with the public. This happened after a newspaper reported about it.

In November 2016, the BBC recognized Mao Kobayashi. She was named one of the '100 Women 2016'. This list features inspiring and influential women. She earned this recognition for starting a blog about her illness. Her blog was called 'Kokoro' (meaning 'Heart'). It became one of the most popular blogs in Japan. Mao shared her experiences and how she was dealing with her health.

Mao Kobayashi passed away from cancer on June 22, 2017.

Filmography

Films

  • Tokyo Friends: The Movie (2006)
  • Captain (2007)
  • A Tale of Mari and Three Puppies (2007)

Television Shows

  • Division 1: Pink Hip Girl (Fuji TV, 2004) – Emi Saeki
  • Tokyo Friends (Fuji TV, 2005) – Maki Abiko
  • Slow Dance (2005) – Ayumi Hirose
  • Unfair (Fuji TV, 2006) – Rieko Matsumoto
  • Happy! (TBS, 2006) – Choko Ryugasaki
  • Oishii Propose (TBS, 2006) – Saori Shimazaki
  • Taiyou no Uta (TBS, 2006) – Yuuko Miura
  • Happy! 2 (TBS, 2006) – Choko Ryugasaki
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