Known as the most iconic Xiaolongnü in TV history, Carman Lee captivated Asia with her ethereal beauty and cold elegance. Yet, while her career soared, her love life was filled with heartbreak leaving her single at nearly 60.
In Jin Yong’s classic novel The Return of the Condor Heroes, Xiaolongnü is described as an ice-cold beauty, delicate and aloof, like snow on a distant peak. Of the many actresses who portrayed her, Carman Lee remains the definitive version. Her on-screen chemistry with Louis Koo created an unforgettable pairing.
Before acting, Carman Lee worked as a flight attendant, a job she left to pursue her passion for performance. Born in 1966 in Hong Kong and the seventh of ten siblings in a modest household, she worked hard from a young age. She officially entered showbiz in her early 20s.
Her breakout role came in 1995 as Xiaolongnü in the TV adaptation of The Return of the Condor Heroes. With her pure, serene gaze and delicate demeanor, Lee perfectly embodied the role as envisioned by Jin Yong, making her portrayal legendary across Asia.
She went on to star in acclaimed works like Legendary Fighter: Yang’s Heroine and The Untamed, solidifying her position in the entertainment world.
However, like her character, Carman Lee’s romantic life mirrored Xiaolongnü’s unwavering love for one man though her real-life love story was far more turbulent.
In 1998, she began a relationship with businessman Kwok Ying Chuen, 20 years her senior and a divorcé with children. Deeply devoted, Lee even quit acting at the peak of her fame to support his wishes. When Kwok Ying Chuen’s fortune crumbled, she stood by him through bankruptcy and debt.
After 10 years, Kwok Ying Chuen ended the relationship, claiming “incompatible personalities.” The heartbreak devastated Lee. She later revealed she had once planned to leave the industry and live overseas with him. Following their split, she returned to Hong Kong and slowly rebuilt her career from 2013 onward, choosing to embrace an independent life.
Now at 59, Carman Lee remains unmarried and child-free. Instead, she adopted her niece as a goddaughter and finds joy in self-care and independence. She’s vocal about maintaining both physical and mental well-being—committed to gym workouts and skincare. Her radiant, youthful appearance continues to stun fans, earning her the nickname “reverse-aging goddess.”
Lee has spoken openly about past struggles, including depression and even suicidal thoughts at age 42. The loss of loved ones and failed romance once led her to lose faith in life. But now, she says she feels stronger than ever.
Refusing to dwell on the past, Lee has transformed herself. She stays active in fashion, acting, and modeling, frequently appearing in campaigns and on runways.
A beloved icon, Carman Lee proves that age is just a number and that strength, beauty, and independence can bloom at any stage of life.
Sources: K14