Zhang Lanlan (Chinese: 张澜澜, born 23 September 1980) is a Chinese singer, actor and TV host who has appeared in numerous Chinese television shows. Originally an entertainer for the military, she was once dubbed the military's first beauty and the Chinese Marilyn Monroe.[1] In 2008, she disappeared from public life only to reappear six years later married to Xi Yuanping, the younger brother of Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party.[2]

Zhang Lanlan
Born (1980-09-23) 23 September 1980 (age 44)
NationalityChinese
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
SpouseXi Yuanping
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese張瀾瀾
Simplified Chinese张澜澜
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhāng Lánlán

Biography

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Zhang was born into a working-class family in Chongqing, China and joined a People's Liberation Army choir when she was 15. After the death of her father a year later she joined the Central Military Commission Political Work Department Song and Dance Troupe, a section of the military designed to entertain troops. By 2000 she regularly served as hostess for parties involving the People's Liberation Army and the Chinese Communist Party.[3]

She performed at the 2008 CCTV New Year's Gala, which was her last performance before disappearing from public life. Rumors of her disappearance circulated among the media who speculated that she had an affair with high ranking General Xu Caihou. The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television issued an order barring media outlets from talking or publishing photos of her.[1]

In 2014, a letter was published in the Shenzhen Daily written by Xi Yuanping, the brother of Paramount leader Xi Jinping, announcing they were married with children. In the letter Xi said "Lanlan is a simple and sincere woman. She not only had a successful career, but is also a competent daughter-in-law, good wife and loving mother." The couple are said to have met in 2005 and that she fell out of public view after the birth of their first child.[4]

Filmography

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Television series

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Year Title Role Ref.
2007 Carol of Zhenguan Princess of Ankang [5]
2005 The Affaire in the Swing Age Chen Yuanyuan
2004 春花秋月 Huo Yuhan

References

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  1. ^ a b You, Myssie. "How Xi Jinping sister-in-law became a media curiosity". Ejinsight. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Singer who disappeared six years ago resurfaces married to China president's brother". The Telegraph. 16 October 2014. Archived from the original on 20 April 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  3. ^ Chan, Minnie (16 October 2014). "Younger Xi goes on the record about wife". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Chinese Singer Reappears as Chinese President's Sister-in-Law after 6 Years". Latin American Herald Tribune. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  5. ^ "已上映作品" (in Chinese). MTime. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.