Who Is Nancy Kwan? Age, Biography, and Wiki
As of 2025, Nancy Kwan is 85 years old. Born in Hong Kong on May 19, 1939, she navigated the complexities of being an Asian actress in Hollywood during a time when representation was scarce. Nancy achieved fame in the 1960s with her roles in films like “The World of Suzie Wong” and “Flower Drum Song”. Her legacy continues to influence aspiring actors and actresses.
| Occupation | Restaurateurs |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 19, 1939 |
| Age | 86 Years |
| Birth Place | British Hong Kong |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Hong Kong |
Popularity
Nancy Kwan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Nancy Kwan stands tall at approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) and maintained a graceful figure throughout her career. Though specific weight statistics are not available, she has always embodied elegance and poise. Her measurements and fitness regime have played a crucial role in maintaining her health and vibrant appearance even in her later years.
The scene of Kwan, reposed on a davenport and adorned in a dazzling cheongsam, while showing a "deliciously decadent flash of thigh", became an iconic image.
Clad in a cheongsam—"a Chinese dress with a high collar and slits, one on each side of the skirt" —Kwan was on the October 1960 cover of Life, cementing her status as an eminent sex symbol in the 1960s. Nicknamed the "Suzie Wong dress", the cheongsam in the portrait spawned thousands of copycat promotional projects.
In a 1962 interview, Kwan said she "loved" the cheongsam, calling it a "national costume". She explained that it "has slits because Chinese girls have pretty legs" and "the slits show their legs".
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout her life, Nancy has had her share of romantic encounters. She was previously married to actor James Hong, from whom she divorced in the mid-1970s. As of 2025, she is reportedly single, focusing on her family and exploring her artistic passions. While she prefers to keep her personal life private, her professional journey remains a testament to her strength and independence.
Kwan's father was Kwan Wing-hong, a Cantonese architect and her mother was Marquita Scott, a European model of English and Scottish ancestry. Kwan Wing-hong was the son of lawyer Kwan King-sun and Juliann Loke Yuen-ying, daughter of business executive Loke Yew. He attended Cambridge University and met Scott in London.
The two married and moved to Hong Kong, where Wing-hong became an prominent architect. In that era, interracial marriage was not widely accepted. Nancy has an older brother, Ka-keung.
Net Worth and Salary
Nancy Kwan's net worth in 2025 is estimated to be around $3 million. Her successful career in film, television, and stage, alongside various endorsements and appearances, has contributed to her wealth. Despite the ups and downs of the entertainment industry, Kwan’s financial acumen has ensured a comfortable lifestyle in her retirement.
Owing to Kwan's lack of acting experience, at Stark's request she travelled to the United States, where she attended acting school in Hollywood and resided in the Hollywood Studio Club, a chaperoned dormitory with other junior actresses. She later moved to New York.
Kwan signed a seven-year contract with Stark's Seven Arts Productions at a beginning salary of $300 a week, even though she was not given a distinct role. In 2005, Edward S. Feldman and Tom Barton characterized Kwan's wages and her employment as "indentured servitude".
In a retrospective interview, Kwan told Goldsea that she had no prior acting experience and that the $300 a week salary was "a lot of money to me then".
Career, Business, and Investments
Nancy Kwan's career spans several decades and various mediums. After her breakout roles in the 1960s, she continued to act in numerous television shows and films, including guest appearances on popular series. Beyond acting, Kwan has ventured into producing and has been involved in various artistic projects, including theater.
In her later years, Nancy has also participated in philanthropic efforts and discussions about diversity in the arts. Her investments in cultural projects showcase her commitment to the arts and the advancement of representation in Hollywood.
Nancy Kwan Ka-shen (born May 19, 1939) is a Chinese-American actress whose career benefited from Hollywood's casting of more Asian roles in the 1960s, especially in comedies. She was considered an Eastern sex symbol in the 1960s.
Social Network
Even in her 80s, Nancy Kwan maintains an active presence on social media platforms, sharing insights from her life and career. She engages with fans and followers on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where she promotes causes close to her heart, such as arts education and diversity in entertainment.
After starring in The World of Suzie Wong and Flower Drum Song, Kwan experienced a meteoric rise to celebrity. Scholar Jennifer Leah Chan of New York University chronicled the media attention Kwan received after starring in two Hollywood films, writing that Kwan's fame peaked in 1962.
In addition to being featured on the cover of Life magazine, Kwan was the subject of a 1962 article in a popular women's magazine, McCall's, entitled "The China Doll that Men Like".
Education
Kwan received her education at the University of Washington, where she studied acting and sculpture. This academic background influenced her multifaceted career, equipping her with the necessary skills to navigate the performing arts both on screen and on stage.
Kwan attended the Catholic Maryknoll Convent School until she was 13 years old, after which she travelled to Kingsmoor School in Glossop, England a private boarding school that had offered places to refugees in 1938 and 1939, either at no cost or at a reduced rate, that her brother Ka-keung was then attending. Her brother studied to become an architect and she studied to become a dancer.
