Recently, the news of Jet Li being hospitalized for a benign tumor in his neck has once again put the action star in the spotlight. However, what has sparked more discussion than his medical condition is the viral rumor circulating online claiming that during his hospitalization in August 2025, his wife Nina Li Chi only visited him for “15 minutes a day” and that the hospital room was a basic single room. While not confirmed by the parties involved, this rumor has caused a stir on social media platforms.
Jet Li was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 2013, coupled with injuries accumulated over decades in his martial arts career, leading him to gradually fade from the silver screen in recent years. Although rumors of him undergoing a heart transplant during this hospitalization garnered attention, the focus unexpectedly shifted to his relationship with Nina Li Chi.
Some netizens alleged, “Recently, when Jet Li was hospitalized, Nina Li Chi only visited him for 15 minutes a day, not personally taking care of him, everything was taken care of by the caregivers.”
Although some countered by saying, “If he was in the ICU, there are visiting time restrictions for families, and they were just following hospital regulations.” However, other informed netizens countered, “Jet Li was in a regular single room after the surgery, and family members could visit anytime.”
Going back to 1999, Jet Li, in order to marry “Miss Asia” Nina Li Chi, set aside his pride and signed a ‘contract’ with Hong Kong film tycoon Tsui Hark to star in six films over two years to settle a staggering HK$72 million debt Nina Li Chi had from a real estate investment in 1992.
At that time, Jet Li was already a top martial arts star, and netizens believed the HK$72 million offer was reasonable. Tsui Hark promptly agreed and wrote a check. Jet Li used the advance payment to help Nina Li Chi pay off the debt and publicly declared that he was “willing to sacrifice his life for her.”
After marriage, Jet Li entrusted his billions in assets to Nina Li Chi and supported her complete retirement from the entertainment industry. What was once described as a “legendary love affair” now carries a subtle shade due to the rumors of “15-minute visits.”
As these rumors spread, some dug up past events: when Jet Li requested a divorce from his first wife, Huang Qiuyan, while she was pregnant with their second child, despite leaving her with a Los Angeles property, $1.2 million in compensation, and child support, Huang Qiuyan found herself financially strained and living in a basement at one point. Jet Li once confessed, “I owe gratitude to my ex-wife, but with Nina, it’s love.” Today, this confession juxtaposed with the rumors surrounding Jet Li’s hospital room has left many sighing in regret.
On December 15, Cheung Lam, Tsui Hark’s wife, revealed during a video chat about managing finances in marriage: “Jet Li hands over every penny he earns in his lifetime to his wife Nina Li Chi.” This revelation left many netizens calling the kung fu superstar Jet Li a “top-ranking husband under strict control.”
According to Cheung Lam, Jet Li vowed to give all his income to Nina Li Chi when he pursued her. However, when he received a check for $30 million, he couldn’t help but ask, “Can we split it in half?” Nina Li Chi’s response was so firm that she kicked him out, refusing to share in managing finances, leading Jet Li to compromise eventually.
After hearing Cheung Lam’s revelation, some netizens seemed to have a sudden realization, saying, “No wonder Jet Li only gave a $300,000 car as a gift to his eldest daughter during her wedding.” Moreover, Jet Li even ran advertisements for the car when he gifted it. Consequently, some netizens questioned, “Did he even spend money on that car, or was it sponsored for free?”
On December 15, both “Cheung Lam reveals Jet Li hands over all earnings to Nina Li Chi” and “Jet Li hospitalized, Nina Li Chi reportedly only visits for 15 minutes a day” quickly became trending topics on Weibo.
While some argue that Jet Li and Nina Li Chi’s story ultimately reflects their personal choices, and its uniqueness stems from being under the spotlight with significant financial sums involved, it is also considered ordinary as marriage takes various forms. However, many netizens have revisited Jet Li’s debt to his ex-wife, Huang Qiuyan, finding his “romantic image” controversial.