The Untold Story Of Jet Li's Younger Daughters

This article references mental health issues.

Actor Jet Li, whose real name is Li Lianjie, is one of the most recognized and celebrated Chinese actors to ever cross into mainstream American entertainment. Li broke onto the scene with the epic, action-packed movie, "Once Upon a Time in China" and is known for such works as "Romeo Must Die," "Fearless," "Hero," and "Mulan." Having experienced extreme poverty in his childhood, this talented martial arts star with a career spanning several decades came to be worth a whopping $250 million, as of 2022. His career extends beyond film as Li is also noted for humanitarian causes dear to his heart. While the world knows him for his incredible stunt work, wushu mastery, major motion pictures, and philanthropy, four individuals know him simply as "dad." 

Li is a twice wed family man and the proud father to four incredible women. While his elder daughters have forever flown under the radar, living their lives away from the public eye, Li's youngest kids are becoming household names and faces, spreading their wings and soaring on their own accord. They are educated, aspirational ladies who would make any papa proud as punch. The untold truths of Jet Li's daughters, Jane and Jada Li, won't stay under wraps for long as these bright beauties were destined to shine.

Plenty of parents start their children's educational journey early, but cracking the books while your tot is still in diapers? That's a bit much by normative parenting standards. Per Today, Jet Li's second wife and mother to his third and fourth daughters, Nina Li Chi, employed an early learning specialist to get her kids to the top of their class at six and nine months of age, respectively.

Following an early jump in academics, the girls' father gave up his American citizenship to become a citizen of Singapore. That way, his daughters could receive an education there instead of in America. The famous actor explained his move to an interviewer at the Shanghai International Film Festival (via Asia One), saying he had looked at the educational systems of a few other countries — including those of Australia and Switzerland — but ultimately he went with Singapore. Making the decision meant the girls could get the highest quality of education while he could get work easily and without worry.

Following roughly a decade of Singaporean studies, Jane Li returned to the U.S. setting her sights on the very best of the best for her college studies. Per Lianhe Wanbao, Jane was accepted to Yale and Princeton before choosing Harvard University to achieve a Bachelor of Arts degree. The youngest child, Jada Li, wasn't far behind and went on to study at Barnard College.

It could have been an intense scene from one of her father's many action thrillers, but it wasn't. In 2004, Jane Li was vacationing with her famous family in the Maldives when she experienced a terrifying natural disaster and a near-death experience. When Jane and her sister Jada were still toddlers, their father Jet Li and the family nanny were swimming with them when a tsunami ravaged the landscape. Four-year-old Jane was nearly swept out to sea, but her heroic father saved her life, pulling her onto his shoulders and keeping her head above the water. Jada, meanwhile, was saved by the nanny. Of the near-death experience, Jane told South China Morning Post, "I remember that there was water up to my eyes, and I thought, 'This is it, I'm going to die.' I was submerged for five or ten seconds."

The family survived and the near-death experience shaped all their futures. After experiencing the potential loss of his family, Jet founded One Foundation – an organization that his two daughters have reportedly supported. Per The Straits Times, Jane has devoted some of her time to supporting the charity's inner workings, as well as interning at the United Nations and advocating for awareness and issues specific to her Asian roots. Meanwhile, Jada has likewise lent her time and energy to One Foundation while also attending philanthropy conferences with her father and volunteering at the Rehabilitation Center for Hearing-Impaired Children in Northern China, per 8 Days. 

The things dads do for their little girls. Jet Li had stepped back from Hollywood for over a decade when he was approached to star in the live-action rendition of "Mulan." He wasn't initially keen on the prospect until his then 15-year-old daughter, Jada Li, asked him three questions. In an interview with Extra Butter, Jet explained that his youngest child made him take pause, reflect, and ultimately agree to appear in the movie. 

First, Jada asked if her father was proud to promote Chinese culture and if this project promoted their shared beliefs. Of course, he answered yes. Second, she asked if he needed the money. No, he replied. Lastly, young and wise beyond her years, Jada asked her famous father if he would make the movie for her — he couldn't say no. 

While agreeing to the film was easy thanks to his kid, the filming process proved far more difficult for the seasoned professional. Per Yahoo! Life, Jet struggled with the heavy and ill-fitting costumes and the dialogue required for the role. "Making English-speaking movies is not easy for me. I'm very lazy at learning English. Well, any foreign language. So, that's why I appreciated my dialogue coach, who worked with me to help me with my lines," he explained. In the end, the martial arts legend contributed his genius to a film that he and his daughter could be proud of.