History of Michelle Yeoh in Timeline
Michelle Yeoh Choo Kheng, a Malaysian actress formerly credited as Michelle Khan, gained recognition in Hong Kong action films during the 1980s and 1990s. She was known for performing her own stunts in movies like Yes, Madam, Magnificent Warriors, Police Story 3: Supercop, The Heroic Trio, Holy Weapon, and Tai Chi Master.
1959: Father Elected as Senator
In 1959, Michelle Yeoh's father, Yeoh Kian-teik, was elected as a Senator of Malaysia, representing Perak's Malaysian Chinese Association.
August 1962: Birth of Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh was born on 6 August 1962 in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, to Janet Yeoh and Yeoh Kian-teik.
August 1962: Birth of Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh was born on 6 August 1962 in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. This marks the beginning of the life of the celebrated actress.
1969: Father's Term as Senator Ends
Yeoh Kian-teik's term as a Senator of Malaysia ended in 1969, having served from 1959 to 1969.
1975: Father Founded 'Sri Maju'
In 1975, Michelle Yeoh's father founded 'Sri Maju', a major intercity coach service in Malaysia and Singapore.
1983: Winning Miss Malaysia World Contest
In 1983, twenty-year-old Michelle Yeoh won the Miss Malaysia World contest and represented Malaysia at the Miss World 1983 pageant, where she placed eighteenth.
1983: Graduation from Manchester Metropolitan University
Michelle Yeoh received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1983, marking an important educational milestone.
1984: Winning Miss Moomba International Pageant
In 1984, Michelle Yeoh won the Miss Moomba International pageant in Australia, adding another beauty title to her achievements.
1985: Starring Role in 'Yes, Madam'
In 1985, Michelle Yeoh starred in her first lead role in the film 'Yes, Madam'. This film marked a significant milestone in her career as an action star.
1985: Role in 'Yes, Madam'
Michelle Yeoh starred in her first lead role in the action film 'Yes, Madam' in 1985, using the pseudonym Michelle Khan.
1987: Role in 'Magnificent Warriors'
Michelle Yeoh starred in the action film 'Magnificent Warriors' in 1987, further establishing her reputation as a leading action heroine in Hong Kong cinema.
1987: Marriage to Dickson Poon and Retirement
In 1987, Michelle Yeoh married Dickson Poon, co-founder of D&B Films, and decided to retire from acting.
1988: Marriage to Dickson Poon
In 1988, Michelle Yeoh married Hong Kong entrepreneur Dickson Poon, who is known for his ownership of businesses such as Harvey Nichols and Charles Jourdan.
1992: Return to Acting with 'Police Story 3: Supercop'
After her divorce, Michelle Yeoh returned to acting in 1992 with the film 'Police Story 3: Supercop', marking a significant comeback in her career.
1992: Divorce from Dickson Poon
In 1992, Michelle Yeoh and Hong Kong entrepreneur Dickson Poon divorced, ending their four-year marriage.
1992: Role in 'Police Story 3: Supercop'
In 1992, Michelle Yeoh starred in 'Police Story 3: Supercop' alongside Jackie Chan, performing her own stunts and gaining international recognition.
1993: Roles in 'The Heroic Trio', 'Tai Chi Master', 'Holy Weapon'
In 1993, Michelle Yeoh starred in 'The Heroic Trio', 'Tai Chi Master', and 'Holy Weapon', further establishing her status as an action star.
1993: Multiple Roles in 1993
In 1993, Michelle Yeoh starred in several notable films including 'The Heroic Trio', 'Holy Weapon', and 'Tai Chi Master', solidifying her status as an action star.
1994: Role in 'Wing Chun'
In 1994, Michelle Yeoh starred in the film 'Wing Chun', adding another notable role to her filmography.
1997: Role in 'Tomorrow Never Dies'
Michelle Yeoh gained international recognition in 1997 by starring in the James Bond film 'Tomorrow Never Dies', where she played the role of Wai Lin.
1997: 50 Most Beautiful People in the World
Michelle Yeoh was chosen by People magazine as one of the '50 Most Beautiful People in the World' in 1997.
1997: Role in 'Tomorrow Never Dies'
Michelle Yeoh began her Hollywood career in 1997 with the James Bond film 'Tomorrow Never Dies', where she played Wai Lin, earning praise for her combat abilities and commitment to her role.
1997: Role in 'The Soong Sisters'
In 1997, Michelle Yeoh played Soong Ai-ling in the award-winning film 'The Soong Sisters'.
1998: Relationship with Alan Heldman begins
In 1998, Michelle Yeoh began dating American cardiologist Alan Heldman. The couple later became engaged.
1999: Jury Member at the 49th Berlin International Film Festival
In 1999, Michelle Yeoh served as a jury member for the 49th Berlin International Film Festival.
2000: End of engagement with Alan Heldman
In 2000, Michelle Yeoh and Alan Heldman ended their engagement, concluding their relationship.
2000: Role in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
In 2000, Michelle Yeoh starred in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', her first Mandarin-language martial arts film, earning international acclaim and a BAFTA nomination.
2000: Role in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
In 2000, Michelle Yeoh starred in Ang Lee's martial arts film 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'. The role earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
April 2001: Awarded the Darjah Datuk Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP)
In April 2001, Michelle Yeoh was bestowed with the Darjah Datuk Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) title by the Sultan of Perak, in recognition of her contribution to the state's fame.
November 2002: Honored as The Outstanding Young People of the World
In November 2002, Michelle Yeoh was recognized for her cultural achievements and named as one of The Outstanding Young People of the World by the Junior Chamber International (JCI).
2002: Producing 'The Touch'
In 2002, Michelle Yeoh produced her first English film 'The Touch' through her own production company, Mythical Films.
July 2004: Engagement to Jean Todt
On July 26, 2004, Michelle Yeoh got engaged to Jean Todt, then the general manager and CEO of Scuderia Ferrari and later the president of the FIA.
2004: Engagement to Jean Todt
In 2004, Michelle Yeoh became engaged to Jean Todt, a French motor racing executive, after meeting him during a publicity event for Ferrari in Shanghai.
2005: Role in 'Memoirs of a Geisha'
In 2005, Michelle Yeoh played the role of Mameha in the film adaptation of 'Memoirs of a Geisha', contributing to her Hollywood career.
2005: Role in 'Memoirs of a Geisha'
Michelle Yeoh starred as Mameha in the film adaptation of 'Memoirs of a Geisha' in 2005, continuing her successful career in Hollywood.
April 2007: Conferred Knight of the Legion of Honor
Michelle Yeoh was conferred the prestigious title of Knight of the Legion of Honor by French President Jacques Chirac in April 2007.
October 2007: Received the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honor
In October 2007, Michelle Yeoh received the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honor during a ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur.
2007: Role in 'Sunshine'
In 2007, Michelle Yeoh starred in the science fiction film 'Sunshine', further expanding her range of roles.
2007: Role in 'Sunshine'
Michelle Yeoh starred in the science fiction film 'Sunshine' in 2007, further expanding her range of roles in Hollywood.
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 globally, spoke at various international forums, and launched the Call for a Decade of Action for Road Safety in Vietnam.
2008: Role in 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor'
In 2008, Michelle Yeoh starred alongside Brendan Fraser and Jet Li in the fantasy action film 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor'.
2008: Greatest Action Heroine of All Time
In 2008, the film review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes ranked Michelle Yeoh as the greatest action heroine of all time.
2008: Role in 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor'
Michelle Yeoh starred in 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor' in 2008, alongside Brendan Fraser and Jet Li.
2009: 35 All-Time Screen Beauties
In 2009, People magazine listed Michelle Yeoh as one of the '35 All-Time Screen Beauties', recognizing her enduring beauty and talent.
2010: Role in 'Reign of Assassins'
Michelle Yeoh starred in the martial arts film 'Reign of Assassins' in 2010, adding another notable role to her filmography.
June 2011: Blacklisted by Burmese Government
On 22 June 2011, Michelle Yeoh was blacklisted by the Burmese government and deported from Myanmar due to her participation in the film 'The Lady'.
October 2011: Chosen as Guerlain's Skincare Ambassador
In October 2011, Michelle Yeoh was chosen by Guerlain to be its skincare ambassador, helping to strengthen the French cosmetics company's relationship with Asia.
2011: Role in 'The Lady'
In 2011, Michelle Yeoh portrayed Aung San Suu Kyi in 'The Lady'. Her participation in the film led to her being blacklisted by the Burmese government and deported from Myanmar on 22 June 2011.
March 2012: Promoted to Officer of the Legion of Honor
Michelle Yeoh was promoted to Officer of the Legion of Honor by French President Nicolas Sarkozy at a ceremony held at the Élysée Palace in March 2012.
May 2012: Awarded the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak (SPMP)
On May 2012, Michelle Yeoh was awarded the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak (SPMP) title, during the investiture ceremony of the Sultan of Perak's birthday.
March 2013: Received the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award
Michelle Yeoh received the Excellence in Asian Cinema award during the 7th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong in March 2013.
June 2013: Awarded the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM)
In June 2013, Michelle Yeoh was awarded the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) which carries the title Tan Sri, during the investiture ceremony of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's birthday.
November 2013: Chief Guest at the International Film Festival of India
Michelle Yeoh held the esteemed position of Chief Guest at the International Film Festival of India in November 2013.
2013: Executive Producer for Pad Yatra: A Green Odyssey
In 2013, Michelle Yeoh took on the role of executive producer for the documentary Pad Yatra: A Green Odyssey, which chronicled a journey of 700 people through the Himalayan mountains to promote environmental responsibility.
2013: Political support for Najib Razak
In 2013, Michelle Yeoh expressed her support for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and the coalition Barisan Nasional ahead of the Malaysian general election.
2015: Support for Nepal earthquake victims
Following the 2015 Nepal earthquake, Michelle Yeoh returned to the disaster-hit country to help rehabilitate affected people and donated 100,000 euros for victims. Her efforts highlighted her commitment to health and well-being issues.
2015: First Television Role in 'Strike Back'
In 2015, Michelle Yeoh branched out into television, playing her first role as Mei Foster in the fifth season of the Cinemax/Sky series 'Strike Back'.
February 2016: Made an Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
In February 2016, Michelle Yeoh became the first Malaysian citizen to be honored as an Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French ambassador to Kuala Lumpur.
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 WildAid as an ambassador for endangered animals.
2016: Cast in Star Trek: Discovery
In 2016, Michelle Yeoh was cast as Starfleet Captain Philippa Georgiou in the series Star Trek: Discovery. Her role became a fan favorite and earned critical acclaim, spanning three seasons of the show.
2017: Promoted to Commander of the Legion of Honor
In 2017, Michelle Yeoh received the highest honor available to non-French citizens, becoming a Commander of the Legion of Honor, presented by François Hollande.
2018: Role in Crazy Rich Asians
In 2018, Michelle Yeoh played the role of family matriarch Eleanor Young in the film Crazy Rich Asians, directed by Jon M. Chu. Her performance was described as 'convincingly subdued' and contributed to the film's positive reception.
2018: Role in 'Crazy Rich Asians'
Michelle Yeoh played a supporting role in the romantic comedy 'Crazy Rich Asians' in 2018, contributing to the film's international success.
November 2019: Release of Last Christmas
On November 8, 2019, the film Last Christmas, starring Michelle Yeoh as a Christmas-themed store owner opposite Henry Golding and Emilia Clarke, was released. The film was a box office success, grossing over $121 million worldwide.
2019: Role in 'Last Christmas'
In 2019, Michelle Yeoh appeared in the romantic comedy 'Last Christmas', further showcasing her versatility as an actress.
2019: Living in Geneva with Jean Todt
As of 2019, Michelle Yeoh was living in Geneva, Switzerland with her fiancé Jean Todt, marking a significant personal milestone.
2019: Star Trek: Discovery spinoff commissioned
In 2019, a spinoff series of Star Trek: Discovery featuring Michelle Yeoh's character Emperor Georgiou was commissioned. This new series aimed to explore Georgiou's role in the secretive Section 31.
2020: Announcement of role in Ark: The Animated Series
At The Game Awards 2020, it was announced that Michelle Yeoh would star as Meiyin Li, a 3rd-century Chinese rebel leader, in Ark: The Animated Series, based on the video game Ark: Survival Evolved by Studio Wildcard.
2020: Featured on BBC's 100 Women List
In 2020, Michelle Yeoh was featured in the BBC's 100 Women list.
September 2021: Release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
On September 3, 2021, Marvel Studios released Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, featuring Michelle Yeoh as Ying Nan. The film was directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and marked another significant role in Yeoh's career.
2021: Role in 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'
Michelle Yeoh played a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' in 2021, marking her entry into the MCU.
March 2022: Release of Everything Everywhere All at Once
In March 2022, Michelle Yeoh starred in the critically acclaimed science fiction surreal comedy film Everything Everywhere All at Once. Her role as Evelyn Quan Wang earned her numerous accolades, including her first Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination.
June 2022: Announcement of role in The Brothers Sun
In June 2022, it was announced that Michelle Yeoh would star in the Netflix series The Brothers Sun, marking another significant role in her acting career.
August 2022: Received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts
In August 2022, Michelle Yeoh was recognized for her significant contributions to the art of moving image with an honorary doctorate of fine arts degree from the American Film Institute, becoming the first Asian artist to receive this honor.
December 2022: Received the Kirk Douglas Award
In December 2022, Michelle Yeoh received the Kirk Douglas Award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
2022: One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2022, Time magazine named Michelle Yeoh as one of the world's 100 most influential people on its annual list, and designated her as its Icon of the Year.
2022: Academy Award for 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'
In 2022, Michelle Yeoh won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Evelyn Wang in 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'. She became the first Asian to win in this category, marking a historic moment.
2022: Vanity Fair Interview
In 2022, Michelle Yeoh revealed in a Vanity Fair interview that her favorite authors are Shakespeare and Stephen King, and her favorite fictional hero is Tarzan.
January 2023: Star Trek: Section 31 project status update
In January 2023, it was reported that the spinoff series of Star Trek: Discovery, focusing on Michelle Yeoh's character Emperor Georgiou, was still in development. This project, centered on Georgiou working with Section 31, a secret intergalactic spy organization, marked a significant milestone in Yeoh's career.
July 2023: Marriage to Jean Todt
On July 27, 2023, Michelle Yeoh married Jean Todt in Geneva, Switzerland, as confirmed by former Scuderia Ferrari driver Felipe Massa in an Instagram post.
September 15, 2023: Release of A Haunting in Venice
On September 15, 2023, Michelle Yeoh starred as a psychic medium in A Haunting in Venice, alongside Kenneth Branagh. The film's release added another notable performance to her career.
January 4, 2024: Release of The Brothers Sun on Netflix
On January 4, 2024, the eight-part action/comedy-drama series The Brothers Sun, starring Michelle Yeoh, was released on Netflix. The series received generally positive reviews.
May 2024: Casting in Blade Runner 2099
In May 2024, Michelle Yeoh was cast in a lead role as a replicant in the Amazon science-fiction television series Blade Runner 2099, alongside Hunter Schafer.
May 2024: Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient
The White House announced in May 2024 that Michelle Yeoh would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, for her contributions to breaking stereotypes and enriching American culture.
November 22, 2024: Release of Wicked Part One
On November 22, 2024, Michelle Yeoh is set to star as Madame Morrible in the first part of the film adaptation of the musical Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu.
2024: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2024, Michelle Yeoh received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest civilian awards in the United States, recognizing her significant contributions and achievements.
November 26, 2025: Release of Wicked Part Two
On November 26, 2025, the second part of the film adaptation of the musical Wicked, featuring Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, is scheduled to be released.
December 21, 2029: Release of Avatar 4
Michelle Yeoh will star as human scientist Dr. Karina Mogue in Avatar 4, set for release on December 21, 2029.