For decades, actor Jet Li dazzled audiences with his athletic and acrobatic performances, blending graceful movement, lightning speed, and a killer sense of charisma. He introduced millions of new fans to the Chinese martial arts — and became a millionaire himself in the process.Li shot to stardom in the 1980s as the vengeance-seeking shepherd in Shaolin Temple (1982), a landmark in martial arts cinema. In the 1990s and 2000s, he helmed box office hits like Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), Romeo Must Die (2000), the Chinese-produced Once Upon a Time in China film series (1991–1997), Hero (2002), and The Expendables (2010), which, combined, grossed over $1 billion.A trained Wushu expert and winner of 5 national championships, martial arts may have helped Li climb out of poverty, but it never defined his existence. Li cites a brush with death in 2004, when he and his family survived a tsunami in the Maldives, as having sparked his search for life’s deeper meaning, changing his career trajectory in the process. He founded The One Foundation in 2007, which has raised over $300 million for disaster relief, earning Li a spot on the Time 100 list.“I fight people in movies, and some think it’s cool. But deep inside, I want to help people,” he told The New York Times.And despite his recent health struggles with hyperthyroidism, Internet reports announcing Li’s death on a seemingly weekly basis are bunk. Li is very much alive in 2026, although he has largely stepped back from acting. He remains focused on his spirituality and philanthropy and has shared what he’s learned through his new memoir, Beyond Life and Death: The Way of True Freedom, which launched on May 5, 2026.Just how much is Jet Li worth today? @jetli What were you like in the 90s @Jane Li #jetli #90sthrowback ♬ original sound – Jet Li – Jet Li Jet Li’s net worth in 2026According to Celebrity Net Worth, the online authority on celebrity wealth, Jet Li has an estimated net worth of $250 million in 2026.This places Li among the wealthiest martial arts actors of all time, alongside actor Chow Yun-fat, whose net worth is $200 million, and martial artist Jackie Chan, whose net worth exceeds $400 million, according to Yahoo! Finance UK.While Li successfully transitioned into Hollywood, he also maintained a significant presence in Chinese cinema throughout his career, which amplified his earning power.Jet Li’s film salariesLethal Weapon 41998Richard Donner$140–$150 million$285.4 millionN/ARomeo Must Die2001Andrzej Bartkowiak$25 million$91 million$2.4 millionKiss of the Dragon2001Chris Nahon$25 million$64.4 million$5 millionHero2002Zhang Yimou$30 million$177.4 million$9.6 millionThe Warlords2007Peter Chan Ho-sun$40 million$42.9 million$13 millionThe Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor2008Rob Cohen$145 million$403.4 million$13.4–$14 millionThe Expendables2010Sylvester Stallone$80–$85 million$274.5 million$3–$5 millionThe Expendables 22012Simon West$100 million$314 million$3–$5 millionIn 2007, Li set the record as the highest-earning actor in a Chinese film, making 100 million yuan ($13 million) for The Warlords.But movies aren’t his only source of wealth. According to Reuters, the 5’6″ actor also gained significant wealth by investing in Hong Kong’s Far East Holdings International Ltd. in 2015.He also created a lifestyle company, Taiji Zen, with Alibaba’s founder, Jack Ma.In addition, Li and Ma opened the Hangzhou School of Tai Chi in 2013.Related: Dr. Dre’s net worth in 2026: The business mogul becomes a billionaireJet Li’s early life and acting careerLi Lianjie was born on April 26, 1963, in Beijing, China. He was the youngest of four children, and his father died when Li was just two years old, leaving his family impoverished and struggling.When Li was 8, his talent for Wushu, or Chinese martial arts, was apparent. He was enrolled in a summer course at the Beijing Sports and Exercise School, and his coaches, Li Junfeng and Wu Bin, bought food for his family.Li became a master of several Wushu styles, including Chanquan, Fanziquan, Zuiquan (Drunken Fist), Yingzhaoquan (Eagle Claw), and Tanglangquan (Praying Mantis Fist). He joined the Chinese National Wushu Team in 1974 and went on to win five national championships. He also toured around the world and even performed for US President Richard Nixon.Li’s renown as an athlete led to his career as a film star. In 1982, a Filipino publicity firm changed his name to Jet Li to describe his speed and grace. Related: Jennie Garth’s net worth: The ‘I Choose Me’ author’s wealth in 2026What is Jet Li’s new book about?“I learned martial arts and made movies, but I couldn’t find the meaning of life,” Li told The New York Times. In Beyond Life and Death: The Way of True Freedom, Li set down everything he had learned from his practice of Tibetan Buddhism, along with his life-changing experience as a survivor of one of the deadliest tsunamis in history in 2004.People published an excerpt of the harrowing account. Li’s experience caused him to found The One Foundation, which aims to help other survivors of natural disasters by raising small sums from individuals rather than large donations from a few.More on wealthy celebrities:Miley Cyrus’ net worth: A look at her wealth as ‘Something Beautiful’ dropsSabrina Carpenter’s net worth: The pop star’s wealth at 26Justin Bieber’s net worth: The pop superstar’s wealth at 31“Knowing that I was working to alleviate the suffering of others fulfilled me in a way that making films and winning competitions never had,” Li said.Jet Li’s personal lifeIn 1987, Li married fellow Wushu Team member and co-star Huang Qiuyan. The couple divorced in 1990. They share two daughters, Si and Taimi.In 1999, Li married actress Nina Li Chi in California, and they had two daughters, Jane (born 2000) and Jada (born 2002).Li became a US citizen in 2003, but he renounced his citizenship in 2009 when he moved to Singapore in order to become a naturalized citizen there. (Singapore doesn’t allow dual citizenship.)Li explained that he wanted to raise his young family away from the paparazzi, and also have his children enrolled in bilingual schools. Their move also signaled a step away from Hollywood and closer to his charitable goals.Related: Anne Hathaway’s net worth: A look inside The Devil Wears Prada 2 star’s fortune
Jet Li’s net worth in 2026: The action star’s fortune as his new memoir drops
