Who Is Zhang Yimou? Age, Biography and Wiki
Zhang Yimou, born on November 14, 1950, is a prominent Chinese filmmaker known for his visually stunning and emotionally resonant films. As of 2025, Zhang is 74 years old. He gained international fame with acclaimed works such as "Raise the Red Lantern" and "Hero," showcasing China's rich cultural heritage and historical narratives. Zhang's career has significantly impacted both the domestic and international film landscapes, earning him numerous awards and accolades throughout his journey. For more detailed insights, visit Zhang Yimou's Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Cinematographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 14, 1950 |
| Age | 74 Years |
| Birth Place | Xi'an, Shaanxi, China |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | China |
Popularity
Zhang Yimou's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Zhang Yimou stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 10 inches (177 cm). While his exact weight is not publicly disclosed, he maintains a healthy physique, characteristic of someone who leads an active lifestyle, balancing work and life’s demands effectively. Body measurements such as chest and waist are not commonly reported for filmmakers unless involved in model work.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Zhang Yimou has had a fascinating relationship history. He was married to actor and producer Xiaoxin Chen, with whom he has a daughter, but they divorced in 1995. From his second marriage to actress and producer Yan Danchen, he welcomed two children. As of 2025, Zhang is reportedly single following the end of his last known relationship, focusing on his career and family.
Zhang's father, Zhang Bingjun, a dermatologist, had been an officer in the National Revolutionary Army under Chiang Kai-shek during the Chinese Civil War; an uncle and an elder brother had followed the Nationalist forces to Taiwan after their 1949 defeat.
Zhang's mother, Zhang Xiaoyou, was a doctor at the 2nd Hospital affiliated Xi'an Jiao Tong University who graduated from Xi'an Medical University. He has two younger brothers, Zhang Weimou and Zhang Qimou. As a result of his family's ties to the Nationalist movement, Zhang faced difficulties in his early life.
Net Worth and Salary
Zhang Yimou's net worth is estimated to be around $300 million as of 2025. His wealth primarily comes from his successful film career, involvement in prominent international projects, and various accolades that have significantly boosted his profile. His annual earnings are substantial, with estimates varying, but he continues to be one of the highest-earning filmmakers in China.
Career, Business and Investments
Zhang Yimou's career spans over three decades, making him a pivotal figure in the film industry. His notable films often explore themes of tradition versus modernization in China. In addition to filmmaking, Zhang has ventured into other business spheres, including producing and directing stage performances, such as the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His investments in film production companies and artistic collaborations have further enriched his professional portfolio.
When Gaokao was reinstated and the Beijing Film Academy reopened its doors to new students in 1978, Zhang, at 28, was over the Cinematography Department’s admission age limit of 22 and lacked the required academic qualifications.
With the help of relatives in Beijing, Zhang appealed to the faculty members as well as prominent artists, such as Bai Xueshi, Huang Yongyu, and Hua Junwu, then the Ministry of Culture's general secretary.
Hua presented Zhang’s photography portfolio to Huang Zhen, Minister of Culture, who, impressed by Zhang’s talent, instructed the academy to admit him as a two-year auditing student. After two years, Zhang managed to become an official student and completed the full four-year program.
He graduated with the BFA class of 1982, which also included Chen Kaige, Tian Zhuangzhuang, and Zhang Junzhao. The class went on to form the core of the Fifth Generation, who were a part of an artistic reemergence in China after the end of the Cultural Revolution.
Social Network
Zhang Yimou maintains a low profile on social media, preferring to let his work speak for itself. While he may not be actively engaging with fans on mainstream platforms like Instagram or Twitter, his influence remains significant within the film community, and his projects are often discussed across various online film forums.
One of Zhang's recurrent themes is the resilience of ordinary people in the face of hardship and adversity, a theme which has been explored in such films as To Live (1994) and Not One Less (1999).
His films are particularly noted for their rich use of colour, as can be seen in some of his early films, like Raise the Red Lantern (1991), and in his wuxia films like Hero (2002) and House of Flying Daggers (2004). His highest-budgeted film to date is the all-star The Great Wall (2016), which also became his greatest bomb.
His highest-grossing film to date is Full River Red (2023), which also became the highest-grossing film in Asia that year and the seventh highest-grossing film of all time in China. Zhang was awarded an honorary doctorate from Yale University in 2010 and from Boston University in 2018.
In 2022, he joined the Beijing Film Academy as a distinguished professor.
Education
Zhang Yimou graduated from the Beijing Film Academy in 1982, where he honed his craft in cinematography. His education played an influential role in shaping his artistic vision and storytelling ability, impacting generations of filmmakers in China and beyond.
During the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, Zhang left his school studies and went to work, first as a farm labourer for 3 years, and later at a cotton textile mill for 7 years in the city of Xianyang. During this time he took up painting and amateur still photography, selling his own blood to buy his first camera.
In 1978, he went to Beijing Film Academy and majored in cinematography. He has an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Boston University and also one from Yale University.
