PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, originally from Ipoh, received an early 2024 honor by being awarded the 30th Annual Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The 61-year-old Yeoh was recognized as a recipient of the award for her role as a cultural leader and for her contributions to society as an exceptional artist.
“The award celebrates the achievements of leading artists who are bridge-builders and role models for all leaders of society,” WEF said in a statement on Monday (Jan 8).
In addition to Yeoh, world-renowned architect Diébédo Francis Kéré, and Grammy Award-winning guitarist Nile Rodgers were also named winners of the award.
The Malaysian actress will be honored at the opening session of WEF’s annual meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland on Jan 15.
“Our true identity as human beings lies not in our differences but in our collective ability to embrace and include every individual, regardless of their background or beliefs.
It is through this acceptance and unity that we uncover the essence of our shared humanity,” Yeoh stated in response to the award.
Yeoh, a successful actress with a career spanning over four decades and over 60 films, made history last year by becoming the first woman of Asian descent to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
In 2016, Yeah was appointed as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and was appointed a member of the International Olympic Committee in October last year.
On Jan 2, Yeoh shared a photo of a baby’s foot resting on a hand on social media, heralding the arrival of the new year with a post: “A little miracle on the first day of 2024. We are so truly blessed… Can’t tell you how happy I am for this very, very special bundle of joy.”
It was reported that the baby is her grandchild and son of Nicolas Todt.
Nicolas, 46, is the son of her French husband Jean Todt from a previous relationship.
Yeoh, known for her action star roles in Hong Kong, recently returned to Malaysia with Todt, 77, to host their wedding banquet in her home town of Ipoh.
The private ceremony was attended by some 100 people, most of whom were close relatives and friends.
The couple had earlier tied the knot in July in Geneva, Switzerland.
