Michelle Yeoh is a Malaysian actress who is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Yu Shu Lien in the 2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Michelle Yeoh Choo-Kheng was born on August 6, 1962, in Ipoh, Malaysia; her father was a Malaysian Chinese Association politician. Michelle attended boarding school in the United Kingdom and later studied at the Royal Academy of Dance in London where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts with a minor in Drama. At the age of twenty, Michelle won the Miss Malaysia beauty pageant and went on to represent Malaysia at the Miss World 1983 pageant which was held in London. Michelle started her film career acting in many different martial arts films such as The Owl vs Bombo, Royal Warriors, and Yes, Madam.

Michelle is known for her role as Wai Lin in the 1997 James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies in which she performed her own fighting scenes. In 2009, People Magazine listed Michelle as one of the 35 All-Time Screen Beauties; she was the only Asian actress to make the list. Michelle Yeoh was married to Hong Kong businessman Dickson Poon from 1988 to 1992. Since 2004, Michelle Yeoh has been in a romantic partnership with the French motor sport executive, Jean Todt.