Zhang Zetian, known as the "Milk Tea Girl," drew attention at a charity gala held last week at M+ Museum in Hong Kong. [VN Express]
Zhang Zetian, known as the "Milk Tea Girl," drew attention at a charity gala held last week at M+ Museum in Hong Kong. [VN Express]

Zhang Zetian, the Chinese billionaire who became an internet sensation as a teenager after a photo of her holding a cup of milk tea went viral, has drawn fresh attention after appearing at a charity event in Hong Kong. Forbes ranked her 42nd on its list of China's 100 wealthiest people last year, with assets valued at 60 billion yuan ($9.04 billion) — the third-largest fortune among alumni of Tsinghua University.

According to Vietnamese outlet VN Express on Monday, Zhang attended a charity gala held last week at M+ Museum in Hong Kong. She wore a high-end dress from a 2026–2027 collection inspired by sculptural art, featuring an internal frame structure.

Some local commenters said the design would be difficult for most people to pull off, but fashion bloggers praised Zhang for wearing it effortlessly, also complimenting her understated makeup and hairstyle.

The event drew prominent figures from Hong Kong's business and entertainment worlds. Among those in attendance were Ho Siuchin and Ho Siulin, daughters of the late casino magnate Stanley Ho, along with actor Chow Yun-fat and his spouse, and actor Carina Lau.

Zhang is widely known as China's youngest female billionaire and as the wife of Richard Liu, one of China's most prominent self-made tycoons.

Born in Nanjing in 1993, she was included in New Fortune magazine's list of the world's 500 wealthiest people at age 24 in 2017. Last year, Forbes ranked her 42nd on its China rich list.

Zhang first came to public attention in 2009, when she was a high school student. A photo of her in school uniform, hair tied in a ponytail, holding a cup of milk tea spread widely online, earning her the nickname "Milk Tea Sister" in China.

Chinese billionaire Zhang Zetian, who rose to fame as a teenager through a photo of her holding milk tea, was spotted at a charity event in Hong Kong. [Online community · VN Express]
Chinese billionaire Zhang Zetian, who rose to fame as a teenager through a photo of her holding milk tea, was spotted at a charity event in Hong Kong. [Online community · VN Express]

After gaining fame as the Milk Tea Sister, Zhang received an offer from celebrated Chinese director Zhang Yimou to appear in his film "Wuhuaguo."

She turned it down, saying she wanted to focus on her studies, and went on to gain early admission to the prestigious Tsinghua University.

While studying in the United States, she met Richard Liu, who is 19 years her senior, and the two began a relationship. They married in 2015, and Zhang was pregnant with their first child at the time of the wedding ceremony in October of that year.

Richard Liu is the founder of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com. After their marriage, Zhang became involved in expanding JD's fashion and luxury business.

Following her involvement, JD's fashion and luxury division grew, and in 2015 official stores for Sephora and Luxottica opened on the platform.

According to economic and financial research firm Hurun in January last year, Zhang's assets were valued at 60 billion yuan. She holds the third-largest fortune among Tsinghua University alumni.


yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com