Zhao Wei

Zhao Wei, born on March 12, 1976, in Wuhu City, Anhui Province, her ancestral home is Liuzhou Street, Wuwei County, Anhui. Her father, Zhao Jiahai, is a real estate engineer, and her mother, Wei Qiying, is a primary school teacher. Her family background includes ancestors who were wealthy merchants in Wuhu, and the family once lived in the Wei Family Courtyard on Chang Street in Wuhu. She has an older brother, Zhao Jian, who is seven years older than her. Her grandfather, Zhao Zhengsong, once opened a noodle shop on Liuzhou Street and later participated in the Anhui South New Fourth Army; he sacrificed during the Anhui South Incident and was posthumously recognized as a martyr. To honor her ancestors, Zhao Wei visits Liuzhou Street every Qingming Festival to pay respects.

In her early years, Zhao Wei received her basic education in Wuhu, Anhui, attending multiple schools including Dongfeng Elementary School, Tuanjie Road Elementary School, and the Affiliated Elementary School of the Normal University. Her family often took her back to her hometown in Wuwei County on Liuzhou Street to visit relatives. Growing up loved and cared for by her family, she was lively, playful, and once a fighting expert, exhibiting independence. During elementary school, she moved multiple times; her mother would ride her bicycle daily to take her to school, telling stories and teaching Tang poetry and Song lyrics, nurturing her interest in learning. By sixth grade, her academic performance was above average, and she excelled in painting, often receiving excellent grades.

Zhao Wei graduated from middle school in July 1991. Although her academic results were not outstanding, she performed well in music, fine arts, and sports. She chose to study early childhood education at Wuhu Normal School and received professional stage performance training during her studies, guided by teacher Chen Anqi, gaining valuable acting experience. After graduation, in 1994, she was admitted to Shanghai Xie Jin Film and Television Star School and, as part of the first graduating class, starred in director Xie Jin's film "Daughter Valley."

In 1996, Zhao Wei was admitted to the undergraduate acting program at Beijing Film Academy with the top score nationwide, officially starting her acting career. Her debut was in the 1993 film "Painted Soul," where she played a courtesan. Subsequently, she gradually gained recognition in the entertainment industry, participating in numerous TV dramas and films. In 1998, her fame skyrocketed after playing the role of Little Swallow in the classic Qiong Yao drama "Huan Zhu Ge Ge," earning her the Best Actress award at the Chinese TV Golden Eagle Awards.

Beyond acting, Zhao Wei gradually ventured into the music industry, releasing several albums and winning multiple music awards. She gained widespread recognition in the entertainment circle and, in 2007, obtained a Master of Arts degree from the Directing Department of Beijing Film Academy. After completing her studies, she shifted her focus to directing and producing.

In business, Zhao Wei partnered with her husband, Huang Youlong, investing in Alibaba Pictures, where she became the second-largest shareholder. She also founded Tibet Longwei Cultural Media Co., Ltd., and engaged in various equity investments, but some of her business activities later faced freezes and legal disputes. She is actively involved in charity work, serving as an ambassador for various social welfare organizations and projects, donating to support education, disaster relief, and vulnerable groups such as orphans and disabled children.

Regarding her personal life, Zhao Wei married businessman Huang Youlong in 2008. In 2010, she gave birth to a daughter named Huang Xin in Singapore. On December 28, 2024, Zhao Wei announced publicly that she and Huang Youlong had officially divorced, emphasizing that this was unrelated to personal issues with her ex-husband and calling on the media to report rationally.

In her family relations, her cousin Wei Qiming was a drama troupe leader and an actor. Her mother, Wei Qiying’s ancestors were wealthy merchants, and her family was quite prominent. Zhao Wei’s childhood was characterized by love and care from her family and frequent relocations across different places, which contributed to her diverse talents and independent spirit.