Childhood and Education Journey of Michelle Yeoh in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 18, 2025

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Michelle Yeoh. A timeline of key moments.

Michelle Yeoh is a Malaysian actress with a career spanning four decades. Initially credited as Michelle Khan, she gained fame in the 1980s and 1990s through Hong Kong action and martial arts films, notably performing her own stunts in movies like *Yes, Madam*, *Police Story 3: Super Cop*, and *Wing Chun*. She has received numerous awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in film and television.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1988: Marriage to Dickson Poon

In 1988, Michelle Yeoh married Hong Kong entrepreneur Dickson Poon, known for his ownership of businesses such as Harvey Nichols and Charles Jourdan.

1992: Divorce from Dickson Poon

In 1992, Michelle Yeoh divorced Hong Kong entrepreneur Dickson Poon.

1998: Dating Alan Heldman

In 1998, Michelle Yeoh began dating Alan Heldman, an American cardiologist, and was eventually engaged to him.

2000: Engagement to Alan Heldman ends

In 2000, Michelle Yeoh's engagement to Alan Heldman ended.

July 2004: Engagement to Jean Todt

In July 2004, Michelle Yeoh became engaged to Jean Todt, who was then the general manager and CEO of Scuderia Ferrari. They became engaged on July 26, 2004.

2008: FIA's Make Roads Safe campaign

In 2008, Michelle Yeoh became an ambassador and leading campaigner for FIA's Make Roads Safe campaign. She promoted safer road design at events worldwide, spoke at the United Nations General Assembly, Asia Development Bank, and World Bank, walked to promote traffic safety at the Formula One race, and launched the Call for a Decade of Action for Road Safety at an event in Vietnam. She also filmed a documentary on global road safety, Turning Point, which was shown on BBC World News.

2013: Support for Najib Razak

In 2013, Michelle Yeoh expressed her support for Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak and the political coalition Barisan Nasional ahead of the Malaysian general election.

2013: Executive Producer for Pad Yatra: A Green Odyssey

In 2013, Michelle Yeoh took on the role of executive producer for the project Pad Yatra: A Green Odyssey. The film recorded a journey of 700 people, led by the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, to the perilous Himalayan mountain range, planting 50,000 trees, and educating villagers on environmental responsibility.

2015: Nepal earthquake relief

Following the 2015 Nepal earthquake, Michelle Yeoh, a survivor herself, returned to the disaster-hit country to assist in the rehabilitation of affected people and donated €100,000 for the victims.

2016: UNDP Goodwill Ambassador

In 2016, Michelle Yeoh became a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Sustainable Development Goals initiative. She also joined UNDP's first-ever animal ambassadors to kick off the Pandas for the Global Goals campaign.

2019: Living in Geneva

As of 2019, Michelle Yeoh resides in Geneva, Switzerland, with Jean Todt.

August 2022: Honorary Doctorate from American Film Institute

On August 13, 2022, Michelle Yeoh received an honorary doctorate of fine arts degree from the American Film Institute for her contributions to the art of the moving image, becoming the first Asian artist to receive the honour.

2022: Favorite Authors

In 2022, Michelle Yeoh revealed to Vanity Fair that Shakespeare and Stephen King were her favourite authors and that Tarzan was her favourite fictional hero.