Michelle Yeoh: 4 ways the Malaysian martial arts master and Crazy Rich Asians star is changing the world for good – from HIV awareness to wildlife protection
The Memoirs of a Geisha and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star – who turns 58 on August 6 – is a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador who has lent her star power to invaluable causes including disaster relief, HIV/Aids, poverty reduction, animal conservation and road safety
As actress and environmental activist Jane Fonda has said, “When you’re famous, there’s a real responsibility to use that celebrity in the best possible way you can.”
Michelle Yeoh is one such celebrity using her star power – whether in Hollywood or humanitarianism. Most recently known for her role as the matriarch in Crazy Rich Asians, the Malaysian actress has also used her distinguished voice to speak up for a multitude of causes over the years, including Aids/HIV awareness, animal conservation and road safety.
As she turns 58 on August 6, let’s look at the platforms Yeoh has advocated for in her storied career. Perhaps her convictions might inspire you too?
Disaster relief in the Himalayas
After the earthquake that devastated Nepal in 2015, Yeoh visited the region to help in disaster relief efforts as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations. The actress also works as a global ambassador for the charity Live to Love, which focuses efforts on projects in the Himalayan mountains.
“My first mission as Goodwill Ambassador was to return to Nepal to not only to support the recovery efforts – but also to raise awareness of the crucial importance of preparing for disaster long before it happens,” Yeoh said in a 2019 UN interview.
Her interest in the region has also transferred into her film career, specifically as the executive producer for the documentary Pad Yatra: A Green Odyssey which showcases how climate change is affecting the glacial regions of the Himalayas.
Road safety