The 62-year-old actor recently posted a photo from a hospital operating room on social media, captioning it, "Recently experienced another brush with impermanence." He later confirmed he had been discharged and is now in stable condition. For nearly 15 years, Li has battled hyperthyroidism, enduring daily medication and pain.
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Jet Li in the hospital. Photo: Red Note |
Jet Li in the hospital. Photo: Red Note
According to Sina, having faced death before, Li now embraces it with equanimity. He has revealed his final wishes to his wife, Nina Li Chi. He desires no funeral service, preferring a simple farewell without a tombstone. His family can choose between a tree burial or cremation at sea.
A tree burial involves placing ashes in a biodegradable cotton or paper bag, then burying it beneath a tree's roots, without a tombstone or name inscription. Cremation at sea involves scattering the ashes into the ocean.
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Actor Jet Li. Photo: HK01 |
Actor Jet Li. Photo: HK01
Once private about his personal life, Li has become more open in the past year, publishing an autobiography, engaging with fans on social media, and making more public appearances. He previously shared his health struggles online to preempt speculation.
In his youth, Li chased fame, fortune, power, and love. Now, his primary focus is his basic needs: three meals a day. He maintains a simple diet, often eating rice porridge, Beijing-style pickles, and noodles with soy sauce.
Over the past six years, Li has acted less, prioritizing family time and pilgrimages to Buddhist holy sites. According to Chinatimes, at the peak of his career in the 1990s, many envied his success and wealth. However, Li admitted to feeling lost and often frustrated during that time. Recognizing the detrimental effects of envy and competition, he turned to Buddhism, seeking guidance from monks and eventually converting at a Taiwanese temple in 1998.
Jet Li and Donnie Yen in "Once Upon a Time in China II". Video: Bilibili
Born in Beijing in 1963, Li began practicing martial arts at a young age. From 1975 to 1979, he won the all-China national wushu championship five consecutive times. At 17, he rose to fame with the film "Shaolin Temple" (1982), followed by numerous hit martial arts movies like "Once Upon a Time in China", "Swordsman II", "Hero", "Fearless", and "Unleashed".
Li has been married to Nina Li Chi, Miss Asia 1986, for 25 years. They have two daughters. Since their marriage, Li Chi has retired from the entertainment industry to focus on family.
Nhu Anh (Sina)
