The Most Famous Woman in China

Yue-Sai Kan, who People magazine coined as the ＂most famous woman in China,＂ shares the riveting odyssey of how she became a household name.

Yue-Sai Kan unveils a captivating narrative--from her bold arrival in America at 16 to her revolutionary impact on China’s beauty standards through an iconic cosmetics brand. This memoir is a testament to unyielding ambition, cross-cultural influence, and unparalleled achievements.

Within these pages, Yue-Sai chronicles her ascent as a media mogul and entrepreneur, weaving poignant reflections on China’s transformation over four decades. This is more than an autobiography; it’s a tribute to resilience and foresight, shaping destinies and global culture. Enhanced with vivid storytelling and exclusive visuals, delve into the life of a woman who dared to dream, leaving an indelible mark on the narratives of East and West.

Yue-Sai Kan, a trailblazer in media and entrepreneurship, stands as a witness to change and a formidable force steering its course. Recognized as the ’Oprah of China, ’ her memoir reflects a life intertwined with the metamorphosis of a world.

Discover the extraordinary journey of Yue-Sai Kan, a true pioneer shaping the crossroads of East and West. Her autobiography is a compelling narrative of ambition, influence, and resilience, offering readers an intimate glimpse into a life that mirrors the transformation of nations. Rich in storytelling and enhanced by exclusive visuals, this book is a must-read for those seeking inspiration from a woman who left an indelible mark on global culture.

YUE-SAI KAN / 靳羽西

Emmy-Winning Television Host and Producer / Successful Entrepreneur

Fashion Icon / Bestselling Author / Humanitarian

Yue-Sai Kan is an Emmy-winning television host and producer, successful entrepreneur, fashion icon, bestselling author and humanitarian. People magazine called her ＂the most famous woman in China＂ and Time magazine proclaimed her ＂the Queen of the Middle Kingdom.＂

In 1972, Yue-Sai created the weekly television series ＂Looking East＂, the first of its kind to introduce Asian cultures and customs to American audiences. The series garnered critical acclaim and won dozens of awards. In 1984, PBS invited Yue-Sai to host the first live broadcast of a television program from China on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Two years later the television series ＂One World＂ produced and hosted by Yue-Sai aired on China’s national television network CCTV, with a weekly viewership of 400 million. It was then the first time a non-Chinese citizen hosted a TV series in China and made her a household name. With her broadcast in both China and the United States, she was then the most watched woman in the world!

In 1992, Yue-Sai created the Yue Sai Cosmetics brand which grew into China’s leading Cosmetics Company, selling products in more than 800 outlets through 23 regional companies in China’s major markets. More than 90% of the Chinese population today recognizes the brand, which was purchased by L’Oreal in 2004. Additionally, she has written 10 best-selling books, and in 2000, became the first and only living American featured on a Chinese government-issued postage stamp.

Throughout her life, Yue-Sai has been deeply involved in charity work. She served and is still

serving on the boards of a number of prominent charitable organizations in China and the United States, including the Shanghai Soong Qing Ling Foundation, Citymeals on Wheels, the Ellis Island Honors Society and Prince Albert of Monaco’s Philanthropy Round Table, etc. For years, Yue-Sai was chairing the Miss Universe China Final Pageant, which she turned into the most glamorous charity ball in Shanghai. Annually, it raised millions to support orphanages, cleft lip and palate correction surgeries and scholarships for students in China’s best music, TV and film schools.

Yue-Sai is also the Chairwoman of China Institute, a 97-year-old organization whose mission is to advance a deeper understanding of China through programs in Chinese language, culture, art, culinary art, and business. Her own charitable foundation Yue-Sai Kan China Beauty Charity Fund has been providing scholarships for Chinese students at the Fashion Institute of Technology and established sustainable fashion educational programs for executives and professionals at Chinese fashion companies. She is a member of the Committee of 100 and was ordained a Dame of Malta in 2022. In 2022, the Schlesinger Library at Harvard University acquired her entire life archival material to further scholarship and the understanding of the history of women in America. In 2023, Yue-Sai Kan China Beauty Charity Fund evolved into Yue-Sai Kan One World Foundation committed to prompt respect, tolerance and cultural inclusivity among individuals, societies and cultures around the world through television, books and new media.