Ziyi Zhang

Ziyi Zhang (born February 9, 1979) is a Chinese actress. She is one of the most popular and highest-grossing actresses in China, and has also achieved international recognition.

Zhang was born in Beijing, China. She began studying dance at the age of 11, and was admitted to the Beijing Dance Academy at the age of 15. After graduating from the academy in 1996, she made her film debut in a minor role in the Zhang Yimou film "The Road Home".

Zhang's breakthrough role came in 1999, when she starred in the Ang Lee film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". The film was a critical and commercial success, and Zhang received widespread acclaim for her performance. She went on to star in a number of other successful films, including "Hero" (2002), "House of Flying Daggers" (2004), and "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2005).

In 2006, Zhang won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "Memoirs of a Geisha". She became the first Chinese actress to win a Golden Globe Award.

Zhang has since continued to star in both Chinese and international films. She has also served as a judge on the Chinese reality television show "The Voice of China".

Zhang is a vocal advocate for women's rights and gender equality. In 2014, she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme.

Zhang is married to Wang Feng, a Chinese rock musician. They have one child together.

Here are some additional facts about Ziyi Zhang:

• She speaks fluent English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
• She is a trained dancer in classical Chinese dance, ballet, and modern dance.
• She is a practicing Buddhist.
• She is a co-founder of the Chinese production company Beijing Enlight Pictures.
• She has been listed among the world's highest-paid actresses by Forbes magazine.