Zhao Wei Net Worth

What is Zhao Wei's Net Worth?

Zhao Wei is a Chinese actress, film director, and pop singer who has a net worth of $500 million. Known as one of China's "Four Dan Actresses," Zhao Wei rose to fame in the late 1990s and became one of the country's most bankable stars. In addition to her prolific acting career, Zhao earned a vast fortune through high-profile business ventures and investments, most notably an early stake in Alibaba Pictures, the film arm of Jack Ma's Alibaba empire.

Though once dubbed the "Jennifer Lopez and Reese Witherspoon of China" for her ability to dominate multiple sectors of entertainment and business, Zhao's public presence has undergone dramatic shifts in recent years. After years of immense success, she was abruptly blacklisted by Chinese authorities in 2021, leading to speculation about her wealth, safety, and future.

Early Life

Zhao Wei was born on March 12, 1976, in Wuhu, Anhui, China. While still in high school, she landed a small cameo in the film "A Soul Haunted by Painting," which sparked her passion for acting. Determined to pursue the craft professionally, she moved to Shanghai to study acting and eventually gained admission to the prestigious Beijing Film Academy. She graduated with top honors in 2000, earning a bachelor's degree in Performing Arts, and later returned to the academy to complete a master's degree in directing.

Acting Career

Zhao's breakout role came in 1998 when she starred as Xiao Yanzi in the wildly popular TV series "My Fair Princess" ("Huan Zhu Ge Ge"). The show was a cultural phenomenon across Asia and catapulted her to instant stardom. She reprised the role in a sequel the following year and quickly became one of the most recognizable faces in Chinese entertainment.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Zhao appeared in dozens of films and television series, including:

• "Shaolin Soccer"
• "So Close"
• "Red Cliff I" and "Red Cliff II"
• "Painted Skin" and "Painted Skin: The Resurrection"
• "Mulan"
• "The Founding of a Republic"
• "Dearest"

She earned critical acclaim for both her acting range and box office appeal, commanding top-tier salaries of $10–20 million per film at the peak of her career.

(Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for BFI)

Directing and Music

Zhao made a successful transition behind the camera with her directorial debut, "So Young," in 2013. The film grossed over $100 million at the Chinese box office, setting records for a first-time female director and proving her talent as a filmmaker. She also holds an MFA in directing from the Beijing Film Academy.

Between 1999 and 2009, Zhao released seven studio albums, several of which went platinum. Her music career produced multiple hit singles, and she received awards from the MTV Asia Awards and Golden Eagle Awards, among others.

Endorsements and Brand Deals

Over the years, Zhao has represented over 100 major international brands, including Dior, Versace, Motorola, Samsung, De Beers, and Mercedes-Benz. She also served as the primary Chinese ambassador for the Italian fashion house Fendi.

Alibaba Pictures Investment

In 2014, Zhao and her then-husband, Huang Youlong, invested approximately $400 million for a roughly 9% stake in Alibaba Pictures at the recommendation of Jack Ma. The company's valuation surged shortly after, briefly making their stake worth more than $1 billion. However, due to market fluctuations and dilution, the value of her stake is estimated today at approximately $330–350 million.

The investment was made through their company Longwei Culture & Media and became a cornerstone of Zhao's business empire, which also included ventures in gaming, animation, and a French winery, Château Monlot.

Controversies and Blacklisting

In 2018, Zhao and Huang were banned from China's securities markets for five years over accusations of misleading investors in a failed acquisition deal. Though the couple denied wrongdoing, the move marked the beginning of greater regulatory scrutiny.

In August 2021, Zhao was suddenly erased from Chinese media platforms without an official explanation. Her name was removed from credits, her work disappeared from streaming sites, and her fan pages were deleted. Reports claimed she fled the country by private jet to France, although she later posted (then deleted) a message claiming to be in China.

In 2024, it was revealed that Zhao and Huang had quietly divorced in 2021. That same year, courts froze millions in assets tied to her remaining companies. Though some of her work and social media presence have recently re-emerged, her full return to public life remains uncertain.

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