Martial arts superstar Jet Li has officially spoken out against rumors surrounding his health, after recent online speculation suggested the actor was battling a severe illness or on the verge of death.
Appearing at a book launch in Taiwan, the 62-year-old actor, who was wearing a hat and dark sunglasses, surprised many with his noticeably thin appearance. However, Jet Li was quick to dismiss the “serious illness” rumors, telling media outlets, “I’m not dead! I’ve been said to be dead dozens of times, and yet I’m still here.”
According to Chinese media outlet Sohu, Jet Li acknowledged that he has long suffered from hyperthyroidism, a condition he has never tried to hide. Still, he mockingly commented on how easily false narratives spread in the digital age, stating, “As long as my name, whether it’s about being alive or dead, helps someone boost their traffic, I guess I’ve done my part.”
During the same event, Jet Li made a deeply personal revelation for the first time: his youngest daughter struggled with autism and attempted suicide at the age of 19. The incident deeply affected him, leading to a long period of depression.
“We even had discussions about what should be kept, sold, or donated to museums after I die,” he said with poignant honesty.
Meanwhile, in a separate interview with 163.com, Jet Li also opened up about his own mental health. He admitted to having traits that resembled autism, such as a fear of crowds, aversion to social interaction, and a tendency to retreat into his own world. He reflected on the pressure of early fame, constantly surrounded by fans demanding autographs and photos, forcing him to act cheerful even when uncomfortable.
Today, the once-global action star lives a modest and peaceful life, far from the spotlight. “I’m no longer caught in the whirlwind of fame,” he shared, adding, “I just want to enjoy life.”
Born in Beijing in 1963, Jet Li rose to fame as one of Asia’s most iconic martial artists. After winning five consecutive national wushu championships, he debuted in the film industry with “Shaolin Temple” in 1982. He went on to star in martial arts classics like “Once Upon a Time in China”, “Fong Sai Yuk”, “Fist of Legend”, and “Swordsman II”.
In the late 1990s, Jet Li made a successful transition to Hollywood with action blockbusters such as “Romeo Must Die”, “The One”, “Hero”, and “The Expendables”, helping introduce Chinese martial arts cinema to a global audience.
Outside of film, Jet Li is known for his philanthropy. Following a near-death experience during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, he founded “One Foundation” dedicated to disaster relief and child welfare programs.
