| Field |
Details |
| Full Name |
Zhao Liying (赵丽颖) |
| English Name |
Zanilia Zhao |
| Date of Birth |
October 16, 1987 |
| Place of Birth |
Langfang, Hebei Province, China |
| Nationality |
Chinese |
| Profession |
Actress |
| Years Active |
2006 – present |
| Height |
165 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
| Education |
Langfang School of Electronic Information Engineering |
| Marital Status |
Divorced (ex-husband: Feng Shaofeng, m. 2018–2021) |
| Children |
1 son (born in 2019) |
| Known For |
The Legend of Lu Zhen, Princess Agents, Minglan |
| Net Worth (Est.) |
$30 million USD (approx.) |
| Awards |
Golden Eagle, Flying Apsaras, Huading Awards |
| Social Media |
Weibo – 赵丽颖 |
Who Is Zhao Liying?
Zhao Liying, also known by her English name Zanilia Zhao, is one of China’s most celebrated actresses. Known for her natural charm, emotional depth, and a strong work ethic, she has risen from humble beginnings to become a household name in Chinese television.
With iconic roles in The Legend of Lu Zhen, Princess Agents, and The Story of Minglan, Zhao has become a cultural icon, praised for both her acting versatility and her inspirational personal journey.
She made her official acting debut in 2007 with small roles in dramas and films but quickly gained recognition through persistence and raw talent.
Her breakthrough came in 2013 with The Legend of Lu Zhen, where her portrayal of a determined young woman struck a chord with viewers across Asia. From then on, she starred in several record-breaking dramas, often earning top billing and nationwide popularity.
She continues to command high viewership ratings and endorsement deals, making her one of the most bankable celebrities in the Chinese entertainment industry. With millions of loyal fans, Zhao’s star continues to shine both on-screen and in real life.
Zhao Liying Early Life and Family
Zhao Liying was born on October 16, 1987, in Langfang, Hebei Province, China. She grew up in a modest middle-class family, far from the glamorous world of showbiz.
Her father was a police officer and her mother a salesperson, and they emphasized discipline and hard work from an early age. Zhao’s childhood was ordinary, and there were no early signs that she would become a future TV megastar.
Despite limited resources, Zhao Liying was a bright student and an active participant in school activities. She was known for being responsible and focused, qualities that would later define her acting career.
Though not initially exposed to the entertainment industry, Zhao found herself drawn to the arts during her teenage years. Her parents, however, were cautious and preferred she pursue a more stable profession.
Zhao’s path to stardom was not straightforward. She worked regular jobs—including as a secretary—before her big break came through winning the Yahoo Search Star Game in 2006.
This opportunity caught the attention of talent scouts and gave her the visibility she needed to start auditioning. Despite family hesitation, Zhao took the risk, marking the beginning of her journey into the entertainment world.
Zhao Liying Education
Zhao Liying did not attend a traditional acting school, which makes her journey into the entertainment world even more remarkable. After finishing her basic education, she enrolled at the Langfang School of Electronic Information Engineering.
There, she studied electronic technology—a field far removed from her future career. Despite the technical focus of her studies, Zhao’s interest in performing arts never faded.
While she was a diligent student, Zhao often participated in extracurricular activities, especially those involving stage performance.
Her natural beauty and expressive face made her a standout even during her school years. She reportedly considered a career in performance early on but lacked the support and resources to attend specialized drama schools in Beijing or Shanghai.
Zhao’s big turning point came after she graduated and began working in a local company as a secretary. In 2006, she joined the Yahoo Search Star Game and won first place.
This competition opened doors to the entertainment industry without formal acting credentials. From then on, Zhao pursued acting full-time, using every small role as an opportunity to learn, develop, and prove herself.
Zhao Liying Amazing Career
Zhao Liying’s career officially began in 2007 with supporting roles in dramas like Golden Marriage and the film Mudan Pavilion.
Though her early performances were limited in screen time, they allowed her to gain valuable experience and industry exposure.
In 2010, she received wider attention for her role in The Dream of Red Mansions, a drama adaptation of the Chinese literary classic. Her career momentum started to build from there.
Her breakthrough came in 2013 when she played the lead role in The Legend of Lu Zhen. The drama became a huge hit in China and internationally, instantly propelling Zhao to stardom. Audiences praised her for her emotional range, strong screen presence, and relatability.
She followed up with back-to-back successes like Boss & Me, The Journey of Flower, Princess Agents, and The Story of Minglan—solidifying her status as one of China’s top actresses.
In addition to TV, Zhao has also appeared in films and continues to attract major brand endorsements. She’s known for her professionalism, choosing quality scripts, and maintaining a clean public image.
Her career remains active in 2025, with recent projects including Legend of Shen Li and We Girls, directed by Feng Xiaogang.
Drama
| Year |
Drama Title (English / Chinese) |
Role |
Episodes |
Genre/Notes |
| 2007 |
Century Endless Love (未播) |
Debut role |
— |
First project (never aired) |
| 2007 |
Nanyue King (南粤王) |
Supporting |
— |
Early TV debut |
| 2007 |
Mudan Pavilion (牡丹亭) |
Film appearance |
— |
Film debut |
| 2008 |
Spring Comes, Spring Goes (春去春又来) |
Supporting |
— |
TV series |
| 2008 |
Four Women Conflict (四美争春) |
Supporting |
— |
TV series |
| 2008 |
Love Killed Nine River Hall |
Supporting role |
— |
Film |
| 2010 |
The Dream of Red Mansions |
Supporting |
— |
Gained attention |
| 2011 |
New My Fair Princess (新还珠格格) |
Cameo (Qing’er) |
— |
Boosted popularity |
| 2013 |
The Legend of Lu Zhen (陆贞传奇) |
Lead (Lu Zhen) |
59 |
Breakout hit |
| 2014 |
Boss & Me (Sam Sam Is Here, 杉杉来了) |
Lead (Shan Shan) |
33–34 |
Romantic comedy classic |
| 2014 |
Wife’s Secret (妻子的秘密) |
Supporting |
~50 |
Modern romance |
| 2015 |
The Journey of Flower (花千骨) |
Lead |
56 |
Fantasy romance, ratings hit |
| 2016 |
Rookie Agent Rouge (胭脂 / 玫) |
Lead (Lan Yanzhi) |
45 |
Spy/action drama |
| 2016 |
Noble Aspirations (Legend of Chusen, 青云志) |
Supporting (Bi Yao) |
— |
Xianxia ensemble |
| 2017 |
Princess Agents (楚乔传) |
Lead |
50 |
Huge hit drama |
| 2018 |
Our Glamorous Time (你和我的倾城时光) |
Lead |
~47+ |
Modern romance |
| 2018 |
The Story of Minglan (知否知否应是绿肥红瘦) |
Lead (Sheng Minglan) |
78 |
Highly praised historical |
| 2020 |
Legend of Fei (有翡) |
Lead (Xie Yun) |
44 |
Fantasy wuxia |
| 2022 |
Wild Bloom (风吹半夏) |
Lead |
36 |
Reform-era drama |
| 2022 |
Happiness to Thousands of Homes (幸福到万家) |
Lead |
— |
Contemporary family drama |
| 2024 |
Legend of Shen Li (与凤行 / 神礼传?) |
Lead (Shen Li) |
— |
Xianxia, latest work |
Movies
| Year |
Movie Title (English / Chinese) |
Role |
Notes |
| 2007 |
Mudan Pavilion (牡丹亭) |
Xiao Hong (supporting) |
Film debut |
| 2008 |
Ten Warriors in Mashi Mountain |
Ying Zi (main role) |
Historical action-packed drama |
| 2009 |
Love Killed Nine River Hall |
You Lan (main) |
Romantic period film |
| 2013 |
The Palace (Palace: Lock Sinensis) |
Liuli (supporting) |
Historical romance |
| 2015 |
Crazy New Year’s Eve |
Lin Nana (main) |
Ensemble festive drama |
| 2016 |
Royal Treasure |
Princess Baihua (supporting) |
Fun caper/comedy |
| 2016 |
The Rise of a Tomboy (女汉子真爱公式) |
He Xiuwu (main) |
Romantic comedy |
| 2016 |
Days of Our Own (我们的十年) |
Zhang Jing Yi (main) |
Coming-of-age drama |
| 2017 |
Duckweed (乘风破浪) |
Niu Ai Hua / Zheng Suzhen (main) |
Time-travel family drama |
| 2017 |
Eternal Wave |
He Lanfang (main) |
1930s espionage thriller |
| 2018 |
The Monkey King 3 |
Ruler of Women’s Country (main) |
Fantasy adventure |
| 2024 |
Article 20 (第二十条) |
Hao Xiuping (supporting) |
Comedy drama directed by Zhang Yimou |
| 2024 |
Tiger Wolf Rabbit |
Li Hongying (main) |
Crime/action drama |
| 2025 |
We Girls (向阳·花) |
Gao Yuexiang (lead) |
Directed by Feng Xiaogang; theatre release April 4, 2025 |
TV Shows
| Year |
Drama Title |
Role |
Episodes |
Genre / Notes |
| 2013 |
The Legend of Lu Zhen (陆贞传奇) |
Lu Zhen (lead) |
59 |
Breakout historical hit |
| 2016 |
Rookie Agent Rouge (胭脂) |
Lan Yanzhi (lead) |
45 |
Spy-action, aired Sept–Oct 2016 |
| 2016 |
Noble Aspirations (青云志) |
Bi Yao (supporting) |
— |
Cult fantasy series |
| 2017 |
Princess Agents (楚乔传) |
Zhao Qiao (lead) |
50 |
Massive hit |
| 2018 |
Our Glamorous Time (你和我的倾城时光) |
Lead (modern romance) |
~47 |
Contemporary hit |
| 2018 |
The Story of Minglan (知否知否应是…) |
Sheng Minglan (lead) |
78 |
Critically acclaimed |
| 2020 |
Legend of Fei (有翡) |
Xie Yun (lead) |
44 |
Fantasy wuxia |
| 2022 |
Wild Bloom (风吹半夏) |
Lead, reform-era drama |
36 |
Social-drama hit |
| 2022 |
Happiness to Thousands of Homes (幸福到万家) |
Lead, family drama |
~40 |
Contemporary drama |
| 2024 |
Legend of Shen Li (与凤行) |
Shen Li (lead) |
— |
Xianxia series |
Zhao Liying Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
| Attribute |
Details |
| Height |
165 cm (5 feet 5 inches) |
| Weight |
45–48 kg (99–106 lbs) |
| Body Measurements |
34-24-34 inches (approx.) |
| Eye Color |
Dark Brown |
| Hair Color |
Black |
| Skin Tone |
Fair |
| Face Shape |
Oval |
| Build |
Slim and petite |
| Distinctive Features |
Youthful appearance, sharp jawline |
Zhao Liying Husband/Boyfriend and Relationship Status
Zhao Liying has always maintained a relatively private personal life, despite being one of the most high-profile celebrities in China. Her most publicized relationship was with actor Feng Shaofeng, her co-star in several dramas, including The Story of Minglan.
The two confirmed their relationship in 2018 and surprised fans by announcing their marriage in October of the same year. Their union was considered one of the most talked-about celebrity marriages in Chinese entertainment.
In March 2019, Zhao and Feng welcomed their first child—a son—adding to the public’s fascination with their family life. However, in April 2021, the couple announced their divorce through an official statement, citing irreconcilable differences.
Despite the split, both parties have reportedly agreed to co-parent their child respectfully and maintain a cordial relationship. Zhao Liying has since returned to focusing on her career, taking on major roles and endorsement deals post-divorce.
Zhao has not publicly confirmed any new relationships since her divorce. Although rumors have occasionally linked her with fellow actors or collaborators, she has remained single in the public eye.
Zhao Liying Net Worth
Zhao Liying’s estimated net worth is around $30 million USD, according to multiple entertainment and finance outlets. Her wealth comes primarily from her prolific acting career, with top billing in some of China’s highest-rated dramas.
She is often cited as one of the highest-paid actresses in Chinese television, with per-episode fees reaching several hundred thousand dollars.
Major roles in series like Princess Agents, Legend of Lu Zhen, and The Story of Minglan have contributed significantly to her financial success.
Beyond acting, Zhao is a highly sought-after brand ambassador. She has endorsed top international and domestic brands across fashion, beauty, and technology.
Her endorsement portfolio has included brands like Dior, Nestlé, and Chando, further boosting her annual earnings. Industry reports suggest she earns millions annually just from endorsements alone, thanks to her clean image and massive fanbase.
Zhao has also made smart business decisions, including early investments in film and media production companies. Her partial ownership of firms like H&R Century Pictures has provided additional income streams.
With a consistent work ethic and a focus on long-term growth, Zhao Liying’s financial standing continues to rise, making her one of the most financially successful actresses in China today.
Zhao Liying Plan and Goals
Despite already achieving immense success, Zhao Liying continues to set new career goals. She has expressed interest in expanding into film and international markets, moving beyond her television roots.
In recent interviews, she mentioned a desire to take on more diverse and challenging roles, including action, period epics, and even English-language projects if the opportunity arises.
Zhao is also focusing on creative control and production. In recent years, she has stepped into roles behind the camera, participating in project development and script selection.
By doing so, she aims to influence the type of stories being told in Chinese entertainment, especially those featuring strong, complex female leads. This shift reflects her growing maturity in the industry and a desire to shape her legacy.
On a personal level, Zhao has shown a strong commitment to balancing her career with motherhood. Her goals include being a present and supportive parent while continuing to thrive professionally.
She is also involved in philanthropy, with growing interest in causes related to education and women’s empowerment. Zhao Liying’s path forward seems carefully planned—one of continued evolution and lasting impact.
Zhao Liying on Social Media
| Platform |
Username/Handle |
Followers |
Link |
Status |
| Weibo |
赵丽颖 (Zhao Liying) |
89+ million |
weibo.com/zhaoliying |
✅ Active & Verified |
| Instagram |
@zhaoliying_official (unverified) |
49.8k |
Instagram Profile |
⚠️ Unverified Page |
Fun Facts about Zhao Liying
She’s a Self-Made Star
Zhao Liying had no formal acting training and didn’t attend drama school—she worked her way up from small roles through talent, hard work, and persistence.
Her Big Break Came from a Talent Show
She was the winner of the Yahoo Search Star Game in 2006, which jump-started her career by attracting attention from major talent agencies.
She Used to Work as a Secretary
Before her acting debut, Zhao worked as a secretary at a local company, balancing her job while auditioning for roles—proof of her determination.
She’s Known as the “Ratings Queen”
Many of Zhao’s dramas, like Princess Agents and The Story of Minglan, have achieved record-breaking viewership in China, earning her the nickname “Ratings Queen.”
She’s a Proud Mother
Zhao has a son born in 2019, and despite her busy career, she is known for being a hands-on and dedicated mom.
She’s Extremely Private
Unlike many celebrities, Zhao rarely discusses her personal life in public and avoids oversharing on social media, keeping fans intrigued.
She’s a Major Brand Favorite
Zhao has endorsed top-tier brands including Dior, Chando, and Nestlé, making her one of the most marketable stars in China.
Zhao Liying Video and Images
Frequently Asked Questions about Zhao Liying
Is Zhao Liying married?
Zhao Liying was previously married to actor Feng Shaofeng. The couple tied the knot in October 2018 and have one son together. They officially announced their divorce in April 2021 but remain on good terms as co-parents.
What is Zhao Liying’s most famous drama?
Zhao Liying is best known for her lead role in Princess Agents (2017), which became a massive hit across China and internationally. Other major works include The Legend of Lu Zhen, The Journey of Flower, and The Story of Minglan.
How did Zhao Liying become famous?
She gained national recognition after winning the Yahoo Search Star Game in 2006. Her breakout performance came in 2013 with The Legend of Lu Zhen, which led to a series of starring roles in hit dramas.
Does Zhao Liying use social media?
Yes, Zhao Liying is active on Weibo, where she has over 89 million followers. She does not have a verified Instagram or Twitter account, but there are several fan-run pages.
What is Zhao Liying’s net worth?
As of 2025, Zhao Liying’s estimated net worth is around $30 million USD, earned through acting, brand endorsements, and business investments in entertainment ventures.
Conclusion of Zhao Liying
Zhao Liying’s journey from a small-town girl to one of China’s most celebrated actresses is nothing short of inspiring. With her talent, dedication, and humility, she has carved a niche in both historical and modern television dramas.
Beyond acting, her influence spans fashion, brand endorsements, and even production. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, she continues to evolve gracefully, gaining admiration from millions.
Whether as an actress, mother, or role model, Zhao Liying remains a beloved icon in Chinese entertainment, showing no signs of slowing down. Her legacy is still unfolding—and her best may be yet to come.
