Chloé Zhao

Chloé Zhao is a Chinese-born filmmaker celebrated for her evocative storytelling and distinctive cinematic style, which have earned her international acclaim. Born Zhao Ting on March 31, 1982, in Beijing, China, she gained worldwide recognition with her 2020 film Nomadland. The film won her the Academy Award for Best Director, making her the first woman of color to receive this honor. Zhao’s work is known for its intimate portrayal of marginalized communities and themes exploring identity, resilience, and the human connection to nature.

Bio

Chloé Zhao was born Zhao Ting in Beijing to Zhao Yuji, an executive at Shougang Group, and Song Dandan, a prominent Chinese actress. As a rebellious youth, Zhao embraced Western pop culture. At 15, she moved to the United Kingdom for boarding school, where she learned English. Later, she relocated to Los Angeles, attending Los Angeles High School while living independently in Koreatown. Zhao earned a degree in politics with a minor in film studies from Mount Holyoke College in 2005 and later completed a Master of Fine Arts at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Early Life

Growing up in Beijing, Zhao was deeply influenced by Chinese culture and filmmakers such as Wong Kar-wai. Her parents’ divorce and her move abroad during her teenage years were pivotal experiences that shaped her worldview. Her father’s remarriage to actress Song Dandan further connected her to the entertainment industry, helping form her unique perspective on storytelling.

Family

Chloé Zhao maintains a relatively private personal life. She lives in Ojai, California, with her partner and frequent collaborator, cinematographer Joshua James Richards. The couple met while Zhao was researching her debut feature film, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, and they have one child together.

Career

Zhao began her filmmaking career with short films like The Atlas Mountains (2009) and Daughters (2010), which gained festival attention. Her debut feature, Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015), set on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, earned critical praise and a Best First Feature nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards. She followed this with The Rider (2017), a contemporary Western lauded for its authenticity. In 2020, Zhao directed Nomadland, which won the Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture. In 2021, she demonstrated her versatility by directing Marvel’s Eternals.

Net Worth

Chloé Zhao’s net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million, reflecting her success in independent film and major studio projects. Her achievements underscore her talent and growing influence in the film industry.