Chinese actress Zhao Liying, who makes RM250mil annually, prefers helping the less fortunate

Chinese actress Zhao Liying, 35, enjoys using her fortune for good. Photo: Zhao Liying/Weibo

Chinese actress Zhao Liying may earn hundreds of millions annually, but she prefers spending frugally instead of splurging on branded items.

In fact, Zhao, 35, once said in a television programme that she spends no more than 2,000 yuan (RM1,270) on cosmetics a year.

According to Lianhe Zaobao, the actress generates a yearly income of 400mil yuan (RM250mil), but she does not drive luxury cars or wear many branded accessories.

The report added that most of the gowns she wears to events are sponsored by companies.

Recently, social media users dug up an old photo of Zhao wearing a pink plaid top which costs 118 yuan (RM75).

They also pointed out that she had been using that same shirt for the past four months and praised her for being so thrifty.

So where does Zhao’s money go?

According to China Press, the Boss & Me ( 2014) star has been using her wealth for good.

Despite her busy schedule, Zhao would take time to participate in public welfare campaigns and donate to the less fortunate.

In 2015, Zhao donated 500,000 yuan (RM318,138) to help the families of the firefighters who died in the explosions in Tianjin, China.

She reportedly paid a generous amount to help build new roads in her hometown in Hebei too.

In 2021, Zhao donated 1mil yuan (RM636,276) to help out with the flood relief efforts in Henan.

She also won the heart of netizens last April after sending a truck full of supplies to help people in Shanghai during the lockdown.

Zhao, who rose to fame after starring in the historical drama Legend Of Lu Zhen (2013), was not born into a rich family. In fact, she came from a family of farmers.

"I was born in the countryside, but it was the experience of rural life that strengthened my will and helped me develop a strong and tenacious personality," she said in a speech.