Chinese actor Jet Li has publicly addressed longstanding rumors concerning his first marriage, denying claims that he abandoned his first wife and their two daughters after remarrying in 1999.

In a recent web interview, Li, 63, clarified details surrounding his divorce from Huang Qiyuan, a former Chinese actress whom he married in 1987. He described their separation in 1990 as amicable, emphasizing that the split occurred on good terms. Li dismissed allegations of abandonment as unfounded and stated that he left the marriage without any assets.

He said he transferred all his properties and financial holdings to Huang to ensure her economic security and continued to cover the costs associated with raising their daughters, Si and Taimi. “How could I have abandoned my own children?” Li questioned during the interview.

Li also spoke about his current wife, actress Nina Li Chi, with whom he has two younger daughters, Jane and Jada. He credited Nina with fostering harmony within their blended family. According to Li, Nina was understanding of her role as a stepmother and treated all four daughters equally.

Li further detailed that Nina established a significant financial fund for Si and Taimi in their youth, intended to provide lifetime support regardless of their career choices. Nina also purchased real estate in the United States and China on behalf of the two older daughters. Beyond financial support, Nina reportedly encouraged Si and Taimi to be self-reliant and contribute to supporting their biological mother once they reached adulthood. Li said these actions helped cultivate a positive relationship between Nina and her stepdaughters.

The actor’s remarks seek to dispel persistent speculation about his family life and provide insight into the arrangements made to ensure the well-being and unity of his extended family.