Action cinema icon Jet Li has broken his long-standing silence regarding his private family life to dispel persistent rumours of favouritism between his four daughters. Speaking openly on a podcast broadcast on 25 June 2026, the sixty-three-year-old actor revealed that his current wife, Nina Li Chi, took complete financial charge of his eldest children from his first marriage, securing an inheritance large enough to support them for life.
The actor shares two older daughters, Si and Taimi, with his first wife Huang Qiuyan, and two younger daughters, Jane and Jada, with Nina. For years, Chinese social media networks have targeted Li with criticism, alleging that he treated his oldest children poorly.
Defying Internet Speculation
“Lots of things get talked about on Chinese platforms. Some people will say I don’t treat my two older daughters nicely. We’ve never wanted to explain it,” Li said during the broadcast.
The actor explained that long before his younger children were born, Nina stepped forward to manage the family dynamic directly. Li recalled his wife stating clearly: “I’ll take care of the two girls. I will pay the money to go to school. I will take care of everything. You don’t need to worry.”
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Li agreed to the setup, believing it would help the children form a strong bond with their stepmother. The strategy succeeded, with Li confirming that the sisters remain exceptionally close to Nina. The financial support eventually expanded into a permanent safety net. Li revealed that his wife set aside a massive fund to ensure the older sisters would have financial security “until they’re 100 years old”, even if they choose not to work.
Houses and Financial Freedom
The inheritance provides enough funds for a comfortable lifestyle. Nina also purchased two houses for the older sisters. When Si and Taimi entered the workforce, their stepmother gave them explicit instructions regarding their earnings.
According to Li, Nina told them: “We don’t need it. You need to give this money to your mum because she’s not had it easy. You only need to take care of her and not us.”
The oldest daughters have expressed deep frustration over the internet rumours surrounding their father, often asking to speak out publicly to defend his reputation. However, Li has consistently advised them to ignore the online chatter. “I tell them that it’s okay – as long as they’re happy and so am I, that’s good enough,” he said.
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Shifting from Financial Provider to Real Father
The discussion also touched upon Li’s personal evolution as a parent. During his early career, the actor focused entirely on his film schedule, leaving his own mother to raise his eldest children. He admitted that he initially failed to understand the emotional requirements of parenting, viewing his role purely through a financial lens.
“I thought giving enough money, giving a good education in the future, taking care of their future was good enough,” Li admitted. “I really didn’t know how to communicate with my daughters.”
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The turning point arrived when his youngest daughter, Jada, experienced a severe period of mental illness. The crisis forced the actor to re-evaluate his lifestyle completely, shifting his focus away from international film sets to become an active, emotionally present parent.
Addressing his daughter directly on the programme, Li noted: “You changed my life. Become real father. Before that, I’m just half a father only.” The family now reunites annually in Singapore and the United States, with Jada confirming that her older half-sisters constantly look out for her welfare.
