BEIJING: From a humble working-class family in northeast China to becoming a celebrated actress on the Hollywood stage, 53-year-old Li Bingbing’s ascent has never been a solo journey.
At the heart of her decades-long career is her younger sister, Li Xue, 51, who transitioned from journalism to become Li Bingbing’s manager. Together, they co-founded Hesong Entertainment, a talent company that has represented performers across generations.
The sisters have long been recognised as one of China’s most prominent sibling partnerships in the entertainment industry.
Li Bingbing boasts over 42 million followers on Weibo, and Sohu News estimates her personal wealth at over 1 billion yuan (US$150 million), although this figure has not been independently verified.
She has consistently credited her sister for her success, stating, “Without my sister, I would not be where I am today.”
Li Bingbing remains unmarried and childless. According to The Paper, she plans to leave her assets to her sister’s two children.
Born in Wuchang, Heilongjiang province, the sisters grew up in a modest household. Their parents worked as factory labourers, and the family once rented a home from their neighbours.
When Li Bingbing enrolled in the Shanghai Theatre Academy, her family faced financial strain following her mother’s surgery. To alleviate this burden, she supported her sister’s education through advertising work and minor acting roles.
Li Bingbing once reflected: “I can endure hardship myself, but I could not bear to see my sister suffer.”
When Li Xue became her manager in 2000, Li Bingbing was still struggling to find her footing in the film industry, while contemporaries like Zhang Ziyi and Zhou Xun had already risen to prominence.
Recognising her sister’s potential, Li Xue focused on selecting projects that could elevate Li Bingbing’s career.
Her choices proved transformative. She guided Li Bingbing towards Feng Xiaogang’s A World Without Thieves in 2004 and The Knot in 2006, significantly increasing her visibility. This culminated in Li Bingbing winning Best Actress at the 2009 Golden Horse Awards for The Message.
Li Xue later identified opportunities beyond China’s film market, encouraging her sister to take part in the Chinese-American production Snow Flower and the Secret Fan in 2011. This pivotal move opened the door to Hollywood projects, including Resident Evil: Retribution, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and The Meg, as well as collaborations with international luxury brands.
Her role also encompasses ensuring her sister’s well-being. In 2015, when Li Bingbing fell seriously ill while filming in Australia, Li Xue halted production and brought her home for treatment, despite online speculation portraying Li Bingbing as a “diva” on set.
However, their close professional partnership has not been without challenges. Li Bingbing has acknowledged that the sisters often clashed over work decisions, with their most significant dispute resulting in more than three months of no contact. Yet, these disagreements have never diminished their bond.
Li Bingbing has highlighted the considerable sacrifices her sister has made for her career, describing Li Xue as a confidante and asserting: “I could die for her, because she is my sister.”
Meanwhile, Li Xue derives happiness from her work, viewing their partnership as a means to realise her own worth.
The sisters’ enduring collaboration has fascinated many on mainland social media.
One online user noted: “They truly complement each other. The elder sister stands in the spotlight, while the younger sister maps out the broader vision. Sisters are natural allies.”
“A healthy relationship isn’t devoid of conflict, but rather one that can recover and progress. They exemplify how partners can support each other over time,” commented another. - South China Morning Post
