Gong Li – Biography, Age, Husband, Height, Net Worth, Where Is She Now?

Quick Facts

Gong Li is a Chinese-Singaporean actress. She is renowned for her acting prowess and collaborations with leading directors such as Zhang Yimou. Her outstanding film performances have achieved critical acclaim and brought her widespread recognition both locally and internationally. She is regarded as the mother of modern Chinese cinema because she was instrumental in helping their movies find favor amongst western audiences. Her striking physical features have also captivated the hearts of many and earned her ardent fans and admirers. Li was named the most beautiful woman in China in 2006.

Gong is best known for her iconic roles in the 2005 live-action production of Memoirs of a Geisha, Raise the Red Lantern, 2046, Miami Vice, and Ju Dou. She has won numerous awards and honours for her work including a Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her role in The Story of Qiu Ju, a New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Farewell My Concubine, the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Memoirs of a Geisha, as well as two Golden Rooster Awards , one Cannes Festival Trophy, and a Hundred Flowers Award.

Gong Li Bio (Age)

The award-winning actress was born on December 31, 1965, in Shenyang, Liaoning, China to a father who worked as a professor of economics and a mother who worked as a teacher. She isn’t her parents’ only child as she is the youngest of five children born to them.

Li gained admission into the reputable Central Drama Academy in Beijing in 1985. She was discovered by director Zhang Yimou in her second year there while he was screening young actresses for the role of rebellious bride in his upcoming movie Hong gaoliang (Red Sorghum). She went on to win the role and Zhang’s heart, the two began a long romantic and professional relationship that delighted and shocked fans across East Asia. The movie was well received and became a hit in cinemas and festivals.

Gong and Zhang’s careers blossomed as she starred on his subsequent projects. Very soon, other big shot producers in Hong Kong were vying for her attention, and she scored her debut comic role in the movie Terra-Cotta Warrior in 1990. There she played the role of a woman being chased for centuries by her true love. This actress also featured in a number of light-hearted kung fu dramas and gangster films. Although these roles helped boost her popularity, Gong did her best work when she was portraying serious characters in movies like Farewell, My Concubine, and The Story of Qiu Ju.

Lady Li scored another demanding role in 1994 in the film Houzhe (To Live) by longtime collaborator, Zhang. Gong Li played all kinds of female characters that depicted the life of modern Chinese women and what they could be.

The actress ended her relationship with Zhang in 1995 in all respects, going on to work for other directors including Chen in The Emperor and the Assassin, Zhou Sun in Zhou Yu’s Train. However, Gong reconnected with Zhang in 2006, starring in his movie Curse of the Golden Flower, and again in 2014 for Coming Home. Her Hollywood collaborations include Shanghai, Hannibal Rising, and Miami Vice.

Who’s Her Husband?

Gong Li fell in love with a Singaporean tobacco tycoon named Ooi Hoe Seong and they exchanged marriage vows in November 1996 at the prestigious Hong Kong China Club. Unfortunately, their union ended in June 2010. The couple had no children together so it was easy to go their separate ways. The actress is currently dating the French composer and record producer Jean-Michel Jarre.

Her Net Worth

The seasoned actress has spent nearly three decades in the acting industry. Her resume is one of the best in the business and she has enjoyed incredible success at the local and international level. Thanks to the success of her career and other engagements, Gong is estimated to have a whopping net worth of $100 million.

Height

The actress is lucky to be blessed with perfect physical features, which could explain why the cameras love her so much. She is not very tall, but that has done nothing to diminish her shine or acting talents. Gong is only 5 feet 7 inches tall.

Where Is She Now?

Gong Li is still very much active in the film business at home and abroad. She is currently working on multiple projects some of which include the live-action production of Disney’s Mulan, and Martin Campbell’s Ana.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.