Taimi Li is the second daughter of martial arts legend Jet Li and his first wife, actress Qiuyan Huang. Born on July 16, 1989, she’s now a 35-year-old ophthalmologist practicing medicine in the United States. Unlike most celebrity children, Taimi chose a path far from Hollywood’s glitz, focusing instead on helping people through her medical career.
Quick Facts About Taimi Li
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Li Taimi (李苔蜜) |
| Date of Birth | July 16, 1989 |
| Age | 35 years old (as of 2024) |
| Birthplace | Beijing, China (born in the USA according to some sources) |
| Nationality | American (holds US citizenship) |
| Ethnicity | Chinese |
| Profession | Ophthalmologist (Eye Doctor) |
| Education | US college graduate (medical school) |
| Father | Jet Li (martial arts legend) |
| Mother | Qiuyan Huang (former actress) |
| Siblings | Si Li (older sister), Jane Li and Jada Li (half-sisters) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed (supported by family wealth) |
| Famous For | Being Jet Li’s daughter, becoming a doctor despite celebrity background |
Early Life and Family Background
Taimi was born into one of China’s most famous entertainment families. Her father, Jet Li, was already a global martial arts icon when she arrived. Her mother, Qiuyan Huang, was a talented actress and Miss Asia runner-up who starred in films like “Kids from Shaolin” and “The Tale of a Heroine.”
Her parents met as young martial arts students at the Beijing Shichahai Sports School. They married in 1987, but their relationship couldn’t survive the pressures of fame and frequent separation. Jet and Qiuyan divorced in 1990 when Taimi was just a toddler.
After the divorce, Taimi and her older sister Si lived primarily with their mother. However, her grandmother in Beijing played a significant role in raising both girls. This arrangement allowed Jet to focus on his Hollywood career while ensuring his daughters received proper care and education in China.
The divorce settlement was generous. Jet reportedly gave his Los Angeles house, his savings at the time, and full custody of both daughters to Qiuyan. He left the marriage with essentially nothing material but maintained his commitment to supporting his children emotionally and financially.
Growing Up in Two Worlds
Taimi attended Beijing Huijia Private School, one of China’s most prestigious educational institutions. Her childhood was split between Beijing’s traditional values and the modern influences from her father’s American film career.
Unlike her father’s public life, Taimi’s upbringing was intentionally private. Her grandmother shielded her from excessive media attention, allowing her to develop independently without the constant pressure of being “Jet Li’s daughter.”
She watched her father transform from a Chinese martial arts champion into a Hollywood action star. Films like “Lethal Weapon 4,” “Romeo Must Die,” and “Hero” made Jet an international superstar during her childhood years. Yet Taimi never seemed interested in following that path.
Her mother’s decision to step away from acting likely influenced Taimi’s perspective on celebrity life. Qiuyan chose motherhood and privacy over continuing her promising acting career, showing her daughters that success doesn’t always mean fame.
Education and Medical Career
Taimi pursued higher education in the United States, following in her father’s footsteps of seeking opportunities abroad. She completed her undergraduate studies at an American university before entering medical school.
Becoming an ophthalmologist requires immense dedication. The path includes four years of medical school, at least three years of residency training, and often additional fellowship training for specialization. Taimi committed to this rigorous journey despite having the option to live comfortably without working.
In May 2024, Jet Li proudly revealed on Weibo that Taimi had become an ophthalmologist. He shared a photo showing her examining his eyes professionally, writing, “You have to listen to your second daughter.” The post protected her privacy by only showing her profile.
The choice of ophthalmology is particularly meaningful. While her father created visual spectacles in action movies, Taimi chose to help people see better in real life. There’s something poetic about that career decision.
Taimi now practices medicine, though the exact location of her practice remains private. She treats patients with eye conditions, performs examinations, and prescribes treatments — work that directly improves people’s quality of life.
Jet Li as a Father
Jet has been open about his regrets regarding his first two daughters. In interviews, he admitted he wasn’t present during their early years. His demanding film schedule kept him away from Beijing and Los Angeles for months at a time.
As Taimi and Si grew older, Jet worked hard to rebuild those relationships. He enrolled them in top private schools and flew back from filming locations to attend parent-teacher meetings whenever possible. He also maintained communication with Qiuyan to ensure the girls felt supported by both parents.
The relationship between Jet and Taimi appears strong now. The fact that she feels comfortable examining her father’s eyes professionally shows a level of trust and closeness that takes years to build. Jet’s pride in her medical achievements is evident in how he speaks about her.
Despite rumors of tension between Jet and his elder daughters, he has consistently denied these claims. He stated that Si and Taimi confided in him about the pressures of public life, and he’s worked to protect their privacy while supporting their choices.
In 2025, Jet expressed immense pride when all four of his daughters graduated from college. He joked on Weibo that he’s “at the bottom of the pile” since he doesn’t even have a primary school certificate, while all his daughters earned university degrees.
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The Smollett Sisters: Taimi’s Siblings
Taimi has three sisters, each carving her own path in life.
Li Si is Taimi’s older sister, born in 1988. She’s also chosen a private life away from entertainment. In August 2025, Si announced her engagement, and Jet gifted her a 300,000 yuan electric car as a wedding present. Like Taimi, Si received her higher education in the United States.
Jane Li is Taimi’s half-sister from Jet’s second marriage to actress Nina Li Chi. Born in 2000, Jane graduated from Harvard University with a degree in business and finance. She turned down offers from Yale and Princeton to attend Harvard. In 2019, Jane participated in Les Bal des Débutantes in Paris, one of the world’s most prestigious debutante balls.
Jada Li is the youngest of the four sisters, born in 2003. She graduated from Barnard College at Columbia University in 2025. Jada struggled with depression as a child, and Jet took time away from his charity work to study Tibetan Buddhism with her, helping her heal. She survived the 2004 tsunami in the Maldives when Jet saved her life.
Despite having different mothers and being raised in different locations, all four sisters maintain a respectful relationship. Jet and Nina have ensured the family stays connected, and the sisters support each other’s achievements.
Life Away from the Spotlight
Taimi isn’t active on any social media platforms. You won’t find her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or TikTok. This decision is rare for someone her age, especially someone with celebrity connections.
Her privacy isn’t accidental — it’s a deliberate choice. While her younger half-sisters occasionally appear at public events, Taimi has maintained complete separation from the entertainment world. Even when Jet posts about her, he protects her identity by only sharing profile photos.
This privacy allows Taimi to live authentically. Her patients likely know she’s Jet Li’s daughter, but it doesn’t define her professional identity. She’s Dr. Li first, and a celebrity daughter second.
Taimi’s lifestyle appears modest and focused on her career. There are no reports of her attending Hollywood parties, red carpet events, or celebrity gatherings. Instead, she dedicates her time to her medical practice and maintaining close relationships with family.
Philanthropy and the One Foundation
Taimi supports her father’s charitable work with the One Foundation, established by Jet in 2007 after he survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The foundation focuses on disaster relief, mental health awareness, and suicide prevention.
While Taimi doesn’t hold a public role in the foundation, she reportedly participates in its activities behind the scenes. Her medical background makes her particularly valuable for health-related initiatives.
Jet has served as the Philanthropic Ambassador of the Red Cross Society of China since 2006. His commitment to giving back has influenced all his daughters to consider how they can contribute to society. Taimi’s choice to become a doctor aligns perfectly with these values.
The One Foundation has raised millions for disaster relief efforts across Asia. Jet donated significant portions of his film earnings to support the foundation’s work, showing his daughters that success means using your resources to help others.
Net Worth and Financial Status
Taimi’s personal net worth isn’t publicly disclosed. She comes from significant wealth — Jet Li’s net worth is estimated at $250 million. However, Taimi appears to have built her own financial independence through her medical career.
Ophthalmologists in the United States earn between $200,000 and $400,000 annually, depending on location and specialization. Taimi likely earns within this range, providing her with a comfortable lifestyle independent of family wealth.
Her choice to work in medicine rather than live off her family’s fortune demonstrates character. She could have easily chosen not to work or pursued a less demanding career, but she committed to one of the most challenging professional paths available.
The Meaning Behind Her Name
“Taimi” means “vitality” in Chinese. The name perfectly captures her spirit — choosing life as a healer, helping others, and living with purpose despite the easy path of celebrity life being available.
Chinese names carry deep meaning, and parents select them carefully. Jet and Qiuyan chose a name that reflects strength, energy, and life force — qualities Taimi has demonstrated throughout her journey to becoming a doctor.
Current Life and Future
At 35, Taimi is at an exciting stage in her medical career. She’s completed her training and is now building her practice and reputation as an ophthalmologist. The next decade will likely see her becoming a leading expert in her field.
She maintains close relationships with her father and sisters despite geographic distance. Jet’s social media posts show he visits his daughters regularly, and they travel together when schedules allow.
Taimi’s marital status and personal relationships remain private. She hasn’t been linked to anyone publicly, and her family respects her desire to keep that part of her life away from media scrutiny.
Her choice to examine her father’s eyes professionally shows the beautiful circle of their relationship. Jet, who once had to rebuild his connection with his daughter, now literally trusts her with his vision. It’s a powerful metaphor for how far they’ve come.
Lessons from Taimi’s Journey
Taimi Li represents a refreshing approach to celebrity privilege. Instead of leveraging her famous last name for social media fame or entertainment opportunities, she chose the harder path — years of medical training and a career dedicated to helping others.
Her story challenges our assumptions about celebrity children. Not everyone born into fame wants to be famous. Some prefer meaningful work, privacy, and authentic relationships over red carpets and magazine covers.
Taimi proves that success isn’t measured in followers, headlines, or box office numbers. Real success is found in the dedication to helping others, in expertise earned through hard work, and in living according to your own values rather than others’ expectations.
Her father’s influence is clear — Jet taught his daughters that privilege comes with responsibility. Taimi took that lesson seriously, choosing a profession where she directly improves people’s lives every day.
Lesser-Known Facts About Taimi Li
- Taimi was born in the United States according to some sources, giving her American citizenship from birth, though she was raised primarily in Beijing.
- Her name appears in various Chinese documents as 李苔蜜 (Lǐ Táimì).
- She attended private schools in Beijing that cost hundreds of thousands of yuan annually.
- Taimi is reportedly close to her grandmother, who played a major role in raising her after her parents’ divorce.
- Despite her father’s $250 million fortune, Taimi chose one of the most demanding career paths requiring 11+ years of post-high school education.
- She’s never given a public interview or made any public statements about her life or family.
- Taimi completed her medical training in the United States, joining the approximately 40,000 active ophthalmologists practicing in America.
- Her decision to become a doctor was made entirely independently, without family pressure or expectations.
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Why Taimi’s Story Matters
In 2024, when everyone seems to chase viral fame and social media influence, Taimi Li stands out. She’s proof that you can be connected to massive celebrity and still choose substance over attention.
Her career choice matters because it shows young people that meaningful work exists beyond entertainment and social media. Becoming a doctor requires dedication, intelligence, and genuine care for others — qualities that matter more than follower counts.
Taimi’s privacy matters too. She demonstrates that you can set boundaries with media and public curiosity, even when your father is world-famous. You don’t owe the world access to your life just because of who your parents are.
Her relationship with Jet matters because it shows that damaged relationships can heal. Jet wasn’t present for her early years, but they worked to rebuild their bond. Now they have a relationship based on mutual respect and genuine care.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does Taimi Li do for a living?
Taimi Li is an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. She completed medical school and residency training in the United States and now practices medicine professionally. Her father, Jet Li, proudly revealed her career in 2024 by posting a photo of her examining his eyes.
2. How old is Taimi Li?
Taimi Li is 35 years old as of 2024. She was born on July 16, 1989, making her a Cancer zodiac sign. She’s the second daughter of Jet Li and his first wife, Qiuyan Huang, and she has one older sister named Si Li.
3. Why doesn’t Taimi Li use social media?
Taimi Li deliberately chooses to stay off social media platforms including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. She values privacy and prefers to live her life away from public attention. This decision allows her to focus on her medical career and personal relationships without the pressures of being a celebrity child in the digital age.
4. What is Taimi Li’s relationship with her father Jet Li?
Taimi maintains a close relationship with her father despite their early years apart. Jet has admitted he wasn’t present during her childhood due to his film career, but they’ve rebuilt their bond over the years. Their relationship is strong enough that Taimi now examines his eyes as his ophthalmologist, showing deep trust between them.
5. Does Taimi Li have siblings?
Yes, Taimi has three sisters. Her full biological sister is Si Li, born in 1988, from her parents’ marriage. She also has two half-sisters from her father’s second marriage to Nina Li Chi: Jane Li (born 2000) and Jada Li (born 2003). All four sisters graduated from American universities and maintain respectful relationships despite being raised separately.
