Who Is Hou Yifan? Age, Biography and Wiki
Hou Yifan was born on February 27, 1994, making her 31 years old in 2025. As one of the strongest female chess players in history, she became the youngest female chess master at the age of 16. She earned her title of Grandmaster in 2014, further solidifying her place in chess history. Hou Yifan's journey has inspired many young players around the globe, showcasing her incredible skill, determination, and dedication to the game.
For more detailed information, you can visit her Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Chess Player |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 27, 1994 |
| Age | 31 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country |
Popularity
Hou Yifan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Hou Yifan stands at an impressive height of 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm). She maintains a healthy weight of approximately 130 lbs (59 kg). While her exact body measurements aren’t widely publicized, she is known for her athletic physique and disciplined lifestyle, which contribute to her endurance during long chess tournaments.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Hou Yifan tends to keep her personal life private; however, as of 2025, there have been speculations regarding her dating life. While she hasn't publicly confirmed any relationships, rumors suggest she has been seeing a fellow chess enthusiast. Details about her family remain mostly undisclosed, as she prefers to focus on her professional career rather than her private life.
Hou started playing chess regularly at the age of five, but already was fascinated by the game when she was three years old. Hou's father, Hou Xuejian, a magistrate, often took her to a bookstore after dinner and noticed that she liked to stare at glass chess pieces behind the window.
He later bought his daughter her first chess set and she was able to beat her father and grandmother after a few weeks, at the age of three. In 1999, her father engaged a chess mentor, IM Tong Yuanming, for his five-year-old daughter.
Tong later said that Hou was an unusual talent, showing "strong confidence, distinguished memory, calculating ability and fast reaction". Hou has said that she took up chess because she was fascinated by the pieces.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Hou Yifan's estimated net worth is around $4 million. Her wealth primarily comes from her successful chess career, including tournament winnings, sponsorship deals, and appearances. In addition to her chess earnings, she has also generated income through her online chess coaching and instructional videos.
Career, Business and Investments
Hou Yifan's chess career has been nothing short of phenomenal. She has won the Women's World Chess Championship multiple times and has consistently topped various international ranking lists. In 2025, she continues to compete at the highest level, participating in major tournaments worldwide.
Beyond her competitive chess career, Hou Yifan has invested in several business ventures, including a chess academy aimed at promoting the game among younger players. She also collaborates with educational platforms to offer online chess courses, reaching a global audience of aspiring chess players.
Against the wishes of her trainer, she enrolled in Peking University in 2012, studying International Relations. She took a full course load and participated in many extracurricular activities. She was offered a Rhodes Scholarship, and studied for a Master of Public Policy at St Hilda's College, Oxford with the Blavatnik School of Government.
Commentators have noted her achievements despite her academic commitments and limited tournament preparation. Vladimir Kramnik said: "If she wants to stay the best female player, she can probably do nothing.
If she wants to achieve her potential, she must concentrate fully on chess." Hou is aware of this as well, but nonetheless chooses to treat chess as a hobby, not a career. She said in 2018: "I want to be the best, but you also have to have a life."
Social Network
Hou Yifan maintains a strong presence on social media platforms. On Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, she engages with her fans and shares insights from her chess journey, personal thoughts, and experiences. She often posts updates about her tournaments and initiatives to promote chess education. As of 2025, she boasts hundreds of thousands of followers, illustrating her significant influence in the chess community.
Education
Hou Yifan pursued higher education while advancing her chess career. She studied at Peking University, where she earned her degree in International Relations. Her education has provided her with a unique perspective on the world of chess, as well as a foundation for her future endeavors in business and media.
In conclusion, Hou Yifan remains a significant figure in both the world of chess and sports, and as we move through 2025, her legacy continues to inspire generations of players.
Hou Yifan (born 27 February 1994) is a Chinese chess grandmaster, three-time Women's World Chess Champion and professor at Peking University. She is the second highest rated female player of all time.
A chess prodigy, she was the youngest female player ever to qualify for the title of grandmaster (at the age of 14 years, 6 months, 16 days) and the youngest ever to win the Women's World Chess Championship (at age 16).
