Jet Li and Ex-wife Huang Qiuyan’s 20-Year Relationship
Although Jet Li’s (李連杰) ex-wife Huang Qiuyan (黃秋燕) is rarely mentioned, a rare photograph of her current self surfaced online, showcasing her beauty even at 54-years old. Jet Li had married childhood 
friend Huang Qiuyan in 1987, but their marriage only lasted three years. Jet later stated that he did not know what true love was until meeting his second wife Nina Li (利智).
Childhood Best Friends
Qiuyan met Jet in her martial arts class when she was only 11 years old. Despite being two years older than Jet at the time, the two quickly became good friends. Although slow at first, their romance developed over the span of 20 years, and they eventually tied the knot in 1987, two years after Jet suffered a severe injury that almost rendered him disabled from the waist down.
When Qiuyan and Jet Li were filming Martial Arts of Shaolin <南北少林>, Jet broke his leg on set and spent a long time in recovery before resuming filming. During this time, Qiuyan dropped everything and took care of Jet at the hospital, offering her support. Touched by her loyalty, Jet proposed to Qiuyan and the couple registered for marriage in 1987 without a fancy ceremony and the presence their parents.
Didn’t Know Meaning of Love Until Meeting Nina Li
Although Qiuyan and Jet Li grew up together and have two daughters, Jet was unhappy with their marriage. After meeting beauty queen Nina Li (利智), Jet Li broke up with Qiuyan over the phone, telling her that their relationship was not true love.
Heartbroken, Qiuyan eventually agreed to the divorce. Jet decided to give the majority of his assets and savings to Qiuyan.
Not one to hide information, Jet Li admitted that his love for Qiuyan was only at 20 percent. Jet expressed, “After meeting Nina, the love I had for her can make me give up my fame, status, and life. I can give up everything. In my previous relationship, I didn’t have that feeling, and I didn’t understand the meaning of love.”
Friends, Not Foes
Even after their divorce, Jet and Qiuyan remained as friends. Qiuyan maintained an excellent relationship with Jet’s mother over the years as well. When Qiuyan remarried in 2005, Jet Li gifted her $50,000 USD as a wedding present.
Source: QQ.com
This article is written by Su for JayneStars.com.
what is his definition of true love?
First relationship sounded fine to me. The kind that would last. Sounds like Huang Qiu Yan made a lot of sacrifices for him – through thick and thin kind of relationship, which is what marriage is about.
She nurtured him through his near-disabled state whereas some opportunistic golddigger type would have seen this as time to dump him while she was still young and could snare someone else.
Of course, when really successful and compared to sex bombshell Nina Li Chi … maybe love took on another perspective.
@nomad822
I think it’s the same case as with Gallen Lo, these men felt like they had the responsibility to ‘settle’ because of the relationship they had with those women but ultimately felt trapped and unhappy in their marriages. Then they met women who they are passionately attracted to so they want to leave their dull marriages. It’s unfortunate but not uncommon.
Too bad love has no warranty but in the end ‘love’ is all but chemical reactions in the brain and good old primal attraction. Men are also more visual creatures than women so the line between love and lust for men is really thin.
@peanutbutterjelly
Gallen Lo – ahh yes, another classic case. His first wife supported him when he was only struggling with only $90 or something, and made all kinds of sacrifices for his entire family (including parents) until he got going and famous. Eventually distanced himself from the son fr first marriage too
The recent Alvin Chau would be another. His wife was solidering alongside him on their way up togehter.
Despite being the more logical rather than emotional creatures, many unwise men don’t seem to take relationship history, family or sentiment into consideration,
Instant gratification “lust and primal attraction” just takes over everything, often also with the 2nd woman playing all her cards right and stroking everything (pun fully intended) including ego.
In the end, there is always a justification.
To those who say he’s so generous to Wife #1:
What is US $50,000 in comparison to how much he earns per movie, or how much efforts, youth and time Ms Huang spent in his direction?
If I don’t recall wrong, he ought TWO homes side by side in Singapore in a prime district, for his other family with Nina Li-Chi (in an area wherehomes that start at $5 million and up)
I doubt his first wife ever enjoyed any such luxury with him. $50 000 is pocket change, and a token to assuage his guilty conscience maybe.
typo:
BOUGHT 2 homes side by side
I think he meant lust at first sight when he met Nina Li. So lust is greater than love, therefore he divorced his ex wife.
Divorcing someone over the phone! That’s pretty shi**y!!! I don’t know if I would be that forgiving and continue a friendly relationship afterwards.
How rich is Jet Li? $50,000 USD?
I like Jet Li on screen but breaking up over the phone is really disrespectful. At least fly back and talk to her in person and let her scream and slap him to vent her anger and frustration. It is kind of a cowardly act.
Maybe Huang Qiu Yan put up with him after the divorce for the sake of the kids.
@elizabeth $50,000USD 30 years ago was a lot, compared to today. That’s why now people wants to be billionaires instead of millionaires which wasconsidered very rich 10 years ago.
@alien It was stated in the article that USD50,000 was a wedding gift when she remarried in 2005, which was a decade ago, when he was already rich and famous.
@bearbear Opps,I missed that part.Anyway,I think that it’s the thoughts that count.Jet is not related to her in anyway anymore,so I think being generous enough to give her $50,000USD is already very good. It is not his responsible or any must to give her money after they divorce. We do not know why or there might be some reason behind the divorce that is not revealed so I think we cannot just set the conclusion that Jet is the bad guy…Although I do agree that his handling methods are not the best.
@alien Agree. I don’t think Jet Li is a bad guy and he had zero rumours after Nina Li. He is always polite and low profile. Marriages and relationships do break down for all sorts of reasons and divorce is not always bad if it means an end to an empty marriage and the start of a new life. I admire Qiu Yan for letting go and moving on. Not everyone can do that and waste away the rest of their lives in bitterness.
Divorcing your childhood good/best friend, the woman you married when you were a struggling actor and whom stayed with you throughout when you nearly became physical disabled and the mother of your first two kids with a simple phone call after meeting your one true love.
Brilliant, just brilliant man.
There was an article few days ago on Eva Huang admitting her marriage to her rich manager, of whom rumors of them being together have been speculating for years even when he was still married with a child.
@bearbear
Well said.
After sticking through all that unwaveringly …. one phone call informing that wife #1 only 20% love, after he met his 100% true love.
Maybe better part as friends than stay as enemies?
@funnlim:
Aside from sharing the kids and being forced to maintain a connection:
Why would anyone want a “friend” like this?
To quote bearbear:
“Divorcing your childhood good/best friend, the woman you married when you were a struggling actor and whom stayed with you throughout when you nearly became physical disabled and the mother of your first two kids with a simple phone call after meeting your one true love.”
I’m glad they are able to remain friends, that’s all it matter. He’s still sound generous and responsible.