Entertainment
'Asia's Most Beautiful Woman' Reveals Reason for Leaving Showbiz at the Peak of Her Career

'Asia's Most Beautiful Woman' Reveals Reason for Leaving Showbiz at the Peak of Her Career

Sep 24, 2026

Hanoi [Vietnam], September 24: In a recent interview, Wang Zuxian denied retiring due to heartbreak. The "Number One Beauty of Asia" rarely shared the real reason why she chose to step away from the spotlight when her acting career was at its peak.
According to HK01 on September 22nd, Wang Zuxian recently appeared on a talk show, rarely sharing about her departure from showbiz and her quiet life in Canada for over 20 years. The star, born in 1967, confided that when she first entered the entertainment industry, she didn't understand why she became an actress, only feeling it was fate. "I cherish that opportunity very much," the beauty from the film A Chinese Ghost Story revealed.
However, as she approached 30, after years of hectic work schedules and relentless media attention, the "number one beauty of Asia" gradually felt exhausted. When the film * Green Snake* (1993) was finished, the star began to consider quitting acting, frequently thinking about stopping.
Wang Zuxian confided that at that time, her life revolved solely around going to the film set every day and pouring her heart and soul into each role. After filming was over, the actress had almost no time or energy left to interact with the outside world. The former "screen goddess" also said that the feeling of going out and being recognized and surrounded by so many people made her feel strange and confused. "Because I didn't know everyone, but everyone knew me," the star of the movie "God of Gamblers " explained. Gradually, she felt tired and wondered, "Is this all my life is going to be like?" The artist also constantly questioned herself: "Who am I really?"
The "screen goddess" of Chinese cinema also denied rumors of retiring due to relationship troubles. The actress stated frankly: "We are all acting out a story of our own lives, and the stories that outsiders spread are just another story."
Since 2004, after finishing filming "The Shanghai Story ," Wang Zuxian retired from acting and moved to Canada to settle down. For over 20 years, the star of "The King of Gamblers" has chosen a quiet life, focusing on studying Buddhism and practicing at home. In 2025, the actress plans to open a moxibustion center, also known as moxibustion therapy.) in Canada. Over the past few months, the "most beautiful woman in Asia" has opened social media accounts, occasionally posting about her daily life abroad.
Previously, Wang Zuxian also shared her thoughts on leaving the entertainment industry: "Retiring at the peak of my career, I feel it's the best way to leave, leaving behind a sense of longing and beautiful memories for everyone, and that's enough."
Earlier this year, on her 59th birthday, Wang Zuxian shared on her personal page that her life has been truly peaceful and fulfilling over the years. "Time has made me believe even more that the most precious thing is the present," the actress confided.
Wang Zuxian was born in 1967 in Taiwan and entered the entertainment industry in the 1980s, quickly rising to fame in the Hong Kong market. During the golden age of Hong Kong cinema, the actress made her mark through a series of hit films: A Chinese Ghost Story (co-starring Leslie Cheung), Green Snake (co-starring Maggie Cheung), The Yin Yang Master (co-starring Zheng Shaoqiu and Sammo Hung), The Smiling Proud Wanderer (co-starring Lin Ching-hsia), God of Gamblers (co-starring Chow Yun-fat and Andy Lau)...
Besides her successful acting career, Wang Zuxian is also a stunning beauty of the Chinese screen, once dubbed "Asia's most beautiful woman." For many years, the actress has lived a private life, not mentioning her love life. There are reports that she is currently single, enjoying the company of her pets after past emotional traumas. According to HK01 , the star once shared: "I don't necessarily need to get married. I just hope to live a peaceful and simple life."
Source: Thanh Nein Newspaper