Michelle Yeoh is a Malaysian actress. She is best known for her roles in 1990s films like "Yes, Madam", "Magnificent Warriors", "Police Story 3: Supercop", "The Heroic Trio", and "Holy Weapon". She is also famous for appearing in "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", earning a BAFTA nomination for the latter. She further showcased her versatility in "Memoirs of a Geisha", "Sunshine", "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor", "Reign of Assassins", "Kung Fu Panda 2", and "The Lady", portraying Aung San Suu Kyi. Additionally, she was impressed in supporting roles in "Crazy Rich Asians", "Last Christmas", and "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings". Michelle also ventured into television with "Star Trek: Discovery" and "The Witcher: Blood Origin". Her outstanding performance as an overwhelmed mother navigating the multiverse in "Everything Everywhere All at Once" earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the first Asian and the first Malaysian to win an Oscar in any category.
Michelle Yeoh's Early Life: A Tale of Family Love and Support
Born on August 6, 1962, with the birth name Yeoh Choo Kheng, Michelle Yeoh hails from Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, holding Malaysian nationality and identifying as Malaysian-Asian ethnicity of Hokkien and Cantonese descent. In 2022, she celebrated her 60th birthday. Her parents are Janet Yeoh and Yeoh Kian-teik, with her father serving as a Senator of Malaysia, Chairman of the Perak Bar Association, and the founder of the renowned "Sri Maju" intercity coach service. Both of her parents are very supportive of her dream.
Yeoh's passion for dance emerged at a young age, leading her to begin ballet training at just four years old. As a primary student, she attended Main Convent Ipoh, an all-girls secondary school. At the age of 15, she relocated with her parents to the United Kingdom, where she continued her ballet education at The Hammond School in Chester. Her dedication to ballet led her to pursue further studies at the Royal Academy of Dance in London, specializing in ballet. Unfortunately, a spinal injury curtailed her dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer, prompting her to shift her focus to choreography and other artistic pursuits. In 1982, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative arts with a minor in drama, solidifying her commitment to a multifaceted creative journey.
Michelle Yeoh's Career Milestones
- Michelle Yeoh, in 1983, won the Miss Malaysia World contest and represented Malaysia at Miss World 1983, placing eighteenth. She won the Miss Moomba International 1984 pageant in Australia.
- Her acting career began with a commercial alongside Jackie Chan, catching the attention of a Hong Kong film company, D&B Films.
- Renowned for her action and martial arts films, she performed her own stunts, gaining recognition with her third film, "Yes, Madam" (1985), initially credited as Michelle Khan.
- After marrying with Dickson Poon, Michelle temporarily retired from acting. She then returned to acting, starring in notable films such as "Police Story 3: Super Cop" (1992), "The Heroic Trio" (1993), "Tai Chi Master" (1993), and "Wing Chun" (1994).
- In 1997, she made her mark as Wai Lin opposite Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies." Her success continued with the award-winning film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000), which earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
- In 2002, she produced her first English film, "The Touch" (2002), under her production company Mythical Films.
- She continued to impress in English-language films, starring in "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2005), "Sunshine" (2007), and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" (2008) with Brendan Fraser and Jet Li.
- In 2011, she portrayed Aung San Suu Kyi in "The Lady". Further, she also served as the skincare ambassador for Guerlain, strengthening the company's ties with Asia.
- In 2016, she was cast as Starfleet Captain Philippa Georgiou in "Star Trek: Discovery".
- After two years, she portrayed family matriarch Eleanor Young in "Crazy Rich Asians," and in 2019, she played "Santa" in "Last Christmas."
- Furthermore, she appeared in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" (2021) and is set to star in "Ark: The Animated Series" based on the video game "Ark: Survival Evolved."
- In 2022, she appeared in the science fiction surreal comedy film "Everything Everywhere All at Once". She then appeared in the Disney+ series "American Born Chinese" and is set to star in the Netflix series "The Brothers Sun" and movies "A Haunting in Venice" and the two-part film adaptation of the musical "Wicked."
Michelle Yeoh Awards and Achievements
- In 2001, Michelle Yeoh was awarded the Darjah Datuk Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP), carrying the title Dato', by Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak, her home state, in recognition of her fame.
- In 2002, she was honored as The Outstanding Young People of the World (TOYP) (Cultural Achievement) by JCI (Junior Chamber International).
- In 2007, French President Jacques Chirac conferred upon Yeoh the title of Knight of the Legion of Honor (Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur).
- In 2012, she was promoted to Officer of the Legion of Honor (Officier de la Légion d'honneur) by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and later promoted to Commander (Commandeur) by François Hollande, the highest honor available to non-French citizens.
- In 2012, Yeoh was awarded the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak (SPMP), carrying the title Dato' Seri, during the investiture ceremony in conjunction with the Sultan of Perak's birthday.
- In 2013, she received the Excellence in Asian Cinema award during the 7th Asian Film Awards and the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) title, carrying the title Tan Sri.
- In 2016, Yeoh was made an Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, becoming the first Malaysian citizen to receive that honor.
- She was included in the BBC's 100 Women list in 2020 and Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.
- In 2022, Yeoh received an honorary doctorate of fine arts degree from the American Film Institute, becoming the first Asian artist to receive the honor.
- She also received the Kirk Douglas Award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in December 2022.
- Knight Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (DPMP) – Dato' (2001)
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (SPMP) – Dato' Seri (2012)
- Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2013)
- Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor (2007)
- Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honor (2012)
- Officier of the National Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2016)
- Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honor (2017)
Awards for Michelle Yeoh's role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once":
- Golden Globe: Won Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy (2022) - First Malaysian actor to win this award.
- Independent Spirit Award: Won Best Actress (2022) - First win and nomination in this category.
- Academy Award (Oscar): Won Best Actress (2022) - First Oscar win and nomination.
- BAFTA Award: Nominated for Best Actress (2022) - Second nomination in this category.
- Critics' Choice Awards: Nominated for Best Actress (2022) - First nomination in this category.
- Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards: Won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (2022) - First Asian woman to win an individual lead film category.
- Academy Award (Oscar): Nominated for Best Actress (2022) - First Malaysian to be nominated for and win an Academy Award.
- Academy Award (Oscar): Won Best Actress (2022) - First Asian and second "woman of color" to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Introducing Michelle Yeoh Husband
Michelle Yeoh is a happily married woman to her husband, Jean Todt, a French motorsport executive. The couple began their relationship in 2004 after meeting at a presentation ceremony in Shanghai. After a few years of togetherness, Michelle confirmed their engagement on CBS's The Late Late Show in July 2008. Their love story culminated in a beautiful wedding ceremony held in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 27, 2023. Now, united in marriage, Michelle and Jean are relishing their present life together, filled with love and joy. She does not have any children (biological or adopted) until now. She is straight when it comes to her sexual orientation.
Everything To Know About Jean Todt
In 1998, Michelle was briefly engaged to cardiologist Dr. Alan Heldman. However, her first marriage took place in 1988 to Hong Kong entrepreneur Dickson Poon. Despite their best efforts, the marriage ended in separation in 1992. Despite the split, Michelle and Dickson remained on good terms, maintaining a friendly bond even after parting ways.
Michelle Yeoh's Fortune Unleashed: Net Worth, Salary, and Wealth
With a remarkable net worth of $45 million as of 2023, Michelle Yeoh's success as an actress and producer has been the driving force behind her substantial fortune. She is making an annual salary of over $5 million at present. Her journey in the entertainment industry began with a television commercial, propelling her to become one of Asia's highest-paid actresses. Apart from her acting achievements, she has bolstered her earnings through lucrative brand endorsements for esteemed names like Anlene, Guy Laroche, Puma, and, in 2011, becoming the skincare ambassador for Guerlain. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Michelle enjoys the fruits of her labor by owning a tropical paradise resort in Malaysia and indulging in a lavish and enviable lifestyle.
Michelle Yeoh Height, Weight & Body Measurements
Michelle Yeoh is a beautiful actress, exuding elegance with her slim body type. Standing tall at 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) and weighing 55 Kg (121 lbs), she possesses a fair complexion that complements her captivating brown hair and mesmerizing brown eyes. Her attractive figure is highlighted by her body measurements of 35-23-36 inches. Among her distinctive features are a long rounded chin, often accompanied by glasses, and a charming, warm smile that lights up the screen whenever she graces it with her presence. Michelle's disciplined upbringing as a trained ballet dancer is reflected in her dedication to exercise, which remains an integral part of her daily routine. In her earlier days in Hong Kong's film industry, she would spend approximately 8 hours training in the gym, a testament to her commitment to fitness. Even now, she starts her mornings with stretches and maintains an active lifestyle, engaging in activities like hiking and martial arts. Her pastimes once included squash, swimming, and rock climbing. Regarding her diet, Michelle prefers consuming smaller, frequent meals featuring organic vegetables and seafood, though she also indulges in her favorites such as pasta, bread, ice cream, and cakes. A slow eater, she values savoring each bite, exemplifying her mindful approach to health and well-being.
