Who is Yang Mi? Bio, Age, Net Worth, Family & Career 2026

Yang Mi is a Chinese actress, singer, and producer known as one of the most influential stars in Chinese entertainment. Born on September 12, 1986, in Beijing, she is 40 years old as of 2026. Yang Mi net worth is estimated between $30 million and $40 million, built through acting, endorsements, and her production company, Jaywalk Studio. She was previously married to actor Hawick Lau, with whom she shares a daughter, Xiao Mi.

From her early days as a child actress to becoming one of Asia’s highest-paid entertainers, Yang Mi’s story is one of talent, resilience, and reinvention. This guide covers everything about her life, career, family, and current status, with accurate, up-to-date details you won’t find in one place anywhere else.

Quick Bio / Wiki About Yang Mi

Who Is Yang Mi?

Yang Mi is widely regarded as one of mainland China’s most successful actresses. She has been part of the entertainment industry for more than three decades, starting as a child performer and growing into a leading lady who headlines blockbuster dramas and films.

She is often named among the “New Four Dan Actresses” of China, a title given by Southern Metropolis Daily to the most promising actresses of her generation. Beyond acting, Yang Mi is a recording artist, a film producer, and the founder of her own talent agency. She has also built a massive presence on Chinese social media, where she ranks among the most-followed celebrities in the country.

What sets Yang Mi apart from many of her peers is her range. She has played historical princesses, modern career women, fantasy warriors, and comedic leads, and she has done it across both television and film with consistent box-office and ratings success.

Yang Mi’s Early Life and Family

Yang Mi was born on September 12, 1986, in the Xuanwu District of Beijing, China. She is the only child of her parents, Yang Xiaolin, a police officer, and Yang Chunling, a homemaker. Her unusual given name, “Mi” (幂), meaning “exponentiation” in Chinese mathematics, was chosen because both of her parents share the surname Yang, and her family wanted a name that stood out.

Yang Mi showed an interest in performing from a very young age. By the time she was four years old, she had already landed her first on-screen role. Her parents supported her early entry into show business, and she balanced her schooling with acting jobs throughout her childhood.

She later enrolled at the Beijing Film Academy, one of China’s most respected institutions for performing arts, where she studied in the Performance Department. This formal training is often credited with helping her transition smoothly from child star to leading actress.

Yang Mi has largely kept her extended family out of the public eye. She has not publicly confirmed having any siblings, and most of what is known about her family centers on her parents and her own daughter.

Yang Mi’s Career: From Child Star to Leading Lady

Early Beginnings (1990–2002)

Yang Mi’s acting career began in 1990, when she was cast at the age of four in the historical television series Tang Ming Huang, playing a young princess. Throughout the 1990s, she took on small supporting roles while continuing her education, including an appearance in the 1992 film King of Beggars.

In 2001, after a period focused on school, Yang Mi returned to the entertainment industry, initially working as an advertisement model. A year later, she signed with director Li Shaohong’s agency, Rosat Entertainment, which marked the real start of her professional acting career.

Breakthrough Years (2003–2010)

Yang Mi made her official acting debut as an adult performer in The Story of a Noble Family (2003). Over the following years, she steadily built her reputation, taking on increasingly prominent roles.

Her first major wave of recognition came with Wang Zhaojun (2007), which earned her a Best Actress nomination at the China TV Golden Eagle Awards. She followed this with The Return of the Condor Heroes (2006) and the fantasy drama Chinese Paladin 3 (2009), both of which were major hits in China and introduced her to a much wider audience.

Rise to Stardom (2011–2016)

The turning point in Yang Mi’s career came in 2011, when she starred as the time-traveling lead in Palace, a historical romance drama that became a cultural phenomenon in China. The role earned her the Most Popular Actress award at the Shanghai Television Festival and cemented her status as a top-tier actress.

She continued this momentum with Beijing Love Story (2012), where she won the Most Popular Actress award at the China TV Golden Eagle Awards, and Painted Skin: The Resurrection (2012), a fantasy film that became one of the highest-grossing Chinese films of that year.

In 2016, she starred in The Interpreter, which became the highest-rated Chinese drama of the year, further proving her ability to carry a series.

Established Star (2017–Present)

From 2017 onward, Yang Mi diversified her portfolio across genres. She won Best Actress at the WorldFest Houston International Film Festival for Reset (2017), a sci-fi thriller, and received praise for her role in Brotherhood of Blades 2.

She went on to headline Eternal Love (2017), one of the most-watched Chinese dramas of the decade, and Novoland: Pearl Eclipse (2021), a large-scale fantasy production. More recently, she has appeared in She and Her Perfect Husband (2022), Thank You, Doctor (2022), Authority Thirteen (2023), and In the Name of the Brother (2024), showing that her career has remained active and relevant well into the 2020s.

In 2012, Yang Mi founded her own production company, Jaywalk Studio, giving her creative control over projects and the ability to develop new talent in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Yang Mi Movies and TV Shows

Yang Mi has one of the most extensive filmographies of any actress in Chinese entertainment. Below is a list of her most notable work across television and film, organized by year.

This range of credits reflects why Yang Mi remains one of the most bankable actresses in China, consistently moving between historical fantasy, modern romance, thrillers, and comedy.

Yang Mi’s Physical Appearance

Yang Mi stands at approximately 1.67 meters (5 feet 6 inches) tall, with a slim build that has made her a longtime favorite of major fashion brands. She has black hair and dark brown eyes, features commonly cited in Chinese beauty media coverage of her.

Her polished, versatile look has made her a global ambassador for fashion houses including Michael Kors and Versace, and she has fronted beauty campaigns for brands such as Estée Lauder. She has also appeared on the covers of major fashion publications across Asia, including Elle China.

It’s worth noting that specific body measurement figures circulating online vary significantly between sources and are largely unverified. Rather than repeat unconfirmed numbers, the most reliable facts are her height, her consistent presence in high-fashion campaigns, and her recognizable personal style, which blends classic elegance with modern streetwear influences.

Yang Mi’s Husband and Relationship History

Yang Mi’s most publicized relationship was with Hong Kong actor and singer Hawick Lau. The two met while working together on a drama and began dating around 2011, confirming their relationship publicly through Weibo the following year.

The couple announced their engagement in November 2013 after a relatively short courtship, and they married in a ceremony in Bali, Indonesia, on January 8, 2014. In June 2014, they welcomed a daughter, whom fans affectionately nicknamed “Little Sticky Rice.” The couple kept their daughter largely out of the public spotlight, following a common practice among Chinese celebrity parents.

After four years of marriage, Yang Mi and Hawick Lau announced their divorce on December 22, 2018, through a joint statement released by Jaywalk Studio. Both have remained amicable regarding co-parenting since the split.

As of the most recent public information, Yang Mi has not confirmed a new relationship. She has kept her personal life largely private since her divorce, choosing instead to focus publicly on her career and her role as a mother.

How Old Is Yang Mi? Age Breakdown

Yang Mi was born on September 12, 1986, which makes her 40 years old as of 2026. She has spent 36 of those years actively working in entertainment, starting at age four and continuing without a significant career break through to today, aside from a brief pause for her education in her early teenage years.

Yang Mi Net Worth

Yang Mi’s net worth is estimated to fall between $30 million and $40 million as of 2026. Published estimates online vary widely, from as low as $15 million to as high as $40 million, mostly because different outlets rely on outdated figures or unclear sourcing.

Her income comes from several sources:

• Acting fees: As one of China’s highest-paid actresses, she commands top rates for both television dramas and films.
• Endorsements: She has held brand ambassador roles with Michael Kors, Versace, and Estée Lauder, among others.
• Production company: Jaywalk Studio, which she founded in 2012, generates revenue from producing dramas and developing new talent.
• Music: Though acting is her primary focus, she has released music that contributes modestly to her overall income.

Given her continued acting output through 2024, her ongoing endorsement deals, and her production company’s output, a net worth in the $30–40 million range is the most consistent estimate supported by her career trajectory, rather than the lower figures some outdated sources still circulate.

Yang Mi on Social Media

Yang Mi has one of the largest social media followings of any Chinese celebrity, which plays a major role in her commercial value to brands.

Her Weibo account is particularly significant, as it remains the primary platform for Chinese celebrities to communicate directly with fans, and her follower count consistently ranks her among the platform’s most influential users.

Awards and Achievements

Yang Mi’s decades-long career has earned her numerous industry honors, including:

• Most Popular Actress, Shanghai Television Festival, for Palace (2011)
• Best Actress, China TV Golden Eagle Awards, for Beijing Love Story (2012)
• Best Actress, WorldFest Houston International Film Festival, for Reset (2017)
• Best Action Movie Actress, Jackie Chan Action Movie Week, for Reset (2017)
• Named one of the “New Four Dan Actresses” by Southern Metropolis Daily
• Ranked among China’s top celebrities for commercial and advertising value by Statista (2024)

Fun Facts About Yang Mi

• She began acting at just four years old, making her one of the longest-working stars in Chinese entertainment.
• Her name “Mi” was created specifically for her by her parents, who both share the surname Yang.
• She is fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese.
• She founded her own production company, Jaywalk Studio, in 2012.
• She has been a global brand ambassador for major fashion and beauty labels, including Michael Kors and Versace.
• Despite her fame, she has kept her daughter almost entirely out of public media coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yang Mi

How old is Yang Mi?

Yang Mi was born on September 12, 1986, making her 40 years old as of 2026.

What is Yang Mi net worth?

Her net worth is estimated between $30 million and $40 million, based on her acting income, endorsements, and production company earnings.

Is Yang Mi married?

No. She was married to actor Hawick Lau from 2014 to 2018. The couple divorced in December 2018 and she has not publicly confirmed a new relationship since.

Does Yang Mi have children?

Yes, she has one daughter with Hawick Lau, born in June 2014.

What is Yang Mi best known for?

She is best known for her lead role in the 2011 drama Palace, as well as Chinese Paladin 3, Eternal Love, and the film Reset.

What is Yang Mi’s height?

She stands approximately 1.67 meters, or 5 feet 6 inches tall.

Does Yang Mi have social media?

Yes. She is highly active on Weibo, where she has over 105 million followers, and also maintains an Instagram presence.

What is Yang Mi’s agency?

She is represented by Jaywalk Studio, the production and talent agency she founded in 2012.

Conclusion

Yang Mi’s career is a rare example of consistency and reinvention spanning more than three decades. From a four-year-old debuting in a historical drama to becoming one of China’s most recognized and highest-paid actresses, her journey reflects both talent and strategic career choices, including founding her own production company.

At 40 years old, with an estimated net worth of $30 to 40 million, an active filmography through 2024, and over 105 million followers on Weibo, Yang Mi remains one of the most influential figures in Chinese entertainment. Whether through her historical dramas, modern films, or her role as a mother who has carefully protected her daughter’s privacy, Yang Mi continues to shape her public legacy on her own terms.