Maggie Cheung net worth is estimated at $80 million, making her one of the wealthiest and most critically acclaimed actresses in Asian cinema history. The legendary Hong Kong actress built her fortune through a decades-long film career, international awards, endorsements, and selective high-profile projects that cemented her global reputation.
Renowned for her versatility and emotional depth, Maggie Cheung is widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses ever to emerge from Hong Kong cinema.
How Maggie Cheung Built Her Wealth
Maggie Cheung earned the majority of her wealth through acting, appearing in more than 90 films across Hong Kong, mainland China, and international productions. During the peak of her career in the 1980s and 1990s, she was among the highest-paid actresses in Asia, particularly in action and drama films.
Her later transition into critically acclaimed arthouse cinema and European films further elevated her international profile, leading to festival honors, brand collaborations, and long-term financial stability.
| Maggie Cheung Net Worth | $80 Million |
| Date of Birth | September 20, 1964 |
| Place of Birth | British Hong Kong |
Early Life
Maggie Cheung Man-yuk was born on September 20, 1964, in British Hong Kong, to Shanghainese parents. She attended St. Paul’s Primary Catholic School before immigrating to the United Kingdom with her family at the age of eight.
She spent much of her youth in London, where she studied at St Edmund’s School, Canterbury. At 18, Cheung returned to Hong Kong during a vacation and began modeling, briefly working at Lane Crawford department store.
In 1983, she became first runner-up at the Miss Hong Kong pageant and won the Miss Photogenic title. The same year, she reached the semifinals of the Miss World competition, which launched her entertainment career.
Acting Career
Maggie Cheung made her film debut in 1984 and quickly rose to fame in Hong Kong action cinema. She gained mainstream popularity playing May in Jackie Chan’s “Police Story” film series, which made her a household name across Asia.
Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Cheung starred in dozens of successful films, gradually shifting from commercial action roles to more complex dramatic performances. Her most celebrated works include:
- Song of the Exile (1990)
- Center Stage (1991)
- Comrades: Almost a Love Story (1996)
- In the Mood for Love (2000)
Her role in “In the Mood for Love” is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances in world cinema.
In 2004, Cheung made history by becoming the first Asian actress to win Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in Clean.
Later Career and Hiatus
From the 2000s onward, Maggie Cheung significantly reduced her acting output, choosing only selective roles in films such as Hero, 2046, and Sausalito. Her final screen appearances came in the early 2010s.
By 2020, Cheung publicly indicated she had no plans to return to acting, instead focusing on music, fashion, editing, and film production.
Awards
Maggie Cheung is one of the most decorated actresses in Asian film history, having won awards from:
- Cannes Film Festival
- Berlin International Film Festival
- Hong Kong Film Awards
- Golden Horse Awards
- Shanghai International Film Festival
She has received multiple Best Actress honors and lifetime achievement awards, including induction into the Film Hall of Fame in 2022.
Personal Life
Maggie Cheung was married to French director Olivier Assayas from 1998 to 2001. She later dated German architect Ole Scheeren from 2007 to 2011. Known for her privacy, Cheung has largely stayed out of the public spotlight in recent years.
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