On Tuesday night, September 2, 2025, Hollywood legend and Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh expressed her joy upon arriving in Rwanda via her Facebook account. She shared, "I have arrived in the beautiful country of Rwanda and immediately visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial. A moment to reflect and learn about how people have demonstrated resilience, unity, forgiveness, and kindness on the path forward."
Early in the morning on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Michelle Yeoh experienced the magic of Rwanda’s wildlife as she visited the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The actress expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome and wrote, "It's me! Woohoo! Woohoo! Woohoo! Thank you, Rwanda. This is an amazing morning spent with the family of gorillas led by Big Ben (the dominant male gorilla). I captured a video as he turned and walked close to me. It was such an extraordinary experience."
A Look at Michelle Yeoh's Life
Michelle Yeoh Choo Kheng was born on August 6, 1962, in Ipoh, Malaysia, into a Chinese family. From an early age of four, Michelle’s passion for dance was evident as she started dancing lessons.
She went on to study at the Royal Academy of Dance in London but had to redefine her aspirations due to a severe back injury, leading her toward acting and choreography within the film industry.
In 1983, Michelle Yeoh earned global attention after winning the Miss Malaysia World title. Following her triumph, she ventured into advertising and later became a major figure in Hong Kong martial arts cinema.
Her breakthrough came in 1985 with the film "Yes, Madam", where she starred alongside Jackie Chan and Cynthia Rothrock. Her ability to perform her own stunts set her apart and established her reputation as an action star.
Michelle briefly left acting in 1987 after marrying film producer Dickson Poon. However, she returned to the screen in 1992 after the marriage ended. Her role in "Police Story 3: Supercop" with Jackie Chan brought her immense fame across Asia.
Hollywood Fame
Michelle Yeoh entered Hollywood in 1997 with her role as Wai Lin, a martial artist and Bond girl, in the James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies." This role propelled her to international fame.
In 2000, Michelle starred in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", an iconic martial arts epic that revolutionized the cinema world. The film garnered major awards and became one of the highest-grossing films of its era.
Her versatile talent saw her appearing in widely-acclaimed films like "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2005), "Sunshine" (2007), "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" (2008), and "The Lady" (2011), where she portrayed Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
In 2016, Michelle returned to martial arts cinema with "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny", acting alongside martial arts icon Donnie Yen.
A Star of Modern Cinema
Since 2017, Michelle Yeoh has been a pivotal figure in the famed sci-fi series "Star Trek: Discovery". She reached new heights in popularity with her role in "Crazy Rich Asians" (2018), a global box office hit.
In 2021, Yeoh joined Marvel Studios with "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings", further cementing her status as an iconic actress.
Her crowning achievement came in 2022 with her role in "Everything Everywhere All At Once", a movie that left an indelible mark on cinema.
On March 12, 2023, Michelle Yeoh made history as the first Malaysian and Asian woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress.
A Transformational Visit to Rwanda
Currently, Michelle Yeoh is exploring Rwanda’s breathtaking historical landmarks and natural attractions. Her journey includes the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi and a trek in Volcanoes National Park to encounter the gorillas.
Expressing her heartfelt appreciation, Michelle praised Rwanda’s hospitality and reflected on its remarkable history of unity and reconciliation, as well as the unforgettable wildlife experience.
This visit exemplifies Rwanda's growing appeal as a destination for global celebrities and dignitaries. 
During her visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Michelle learned about the tragic history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed the lives of over one million people. 
She gained insights into how the genocide was carefully orchestrated and its devastating impact on the Tutsi population. 