Peng Liyuan
Peng Liyuan is a renowned Chinese contemporary folk singer and the First Lady of the People’s Republic of China, as the wife of Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of China. She rose to national fame through her performances at the annual CCTV New Year’s Gala and later assumed public roles in health advocacy, cultural diplomacy, and education.
Career in Music and the Arts
Peng gained popularity in the 1980s with her signature performances of patriotic and folk songs such as “People from Our Village,” “Zhumulangma,” and “On the Field of Hope.” She regularly appeared on the widely watched CCTV New Year’s Gala, where her distinctive soprano voice and elegant stage presence earned her nationwide recognition. Her theatrical accomplishments include a celebrated portrayal of Xi’er in the opera “The White-Haired Girl,” for which she was awarded the prestigious Plum Blossom Award in 1986.
Her music career spans international tours and cultural exchanges, performing in countries including Finland, Sweden, Spain, and the United States. She was a professor at the China Conservatory of Music and served as president of the People’s Liberation Army Academy of Art from 2012 to 2017.
Role as First Lady
As First Lady since 2013, Peng Liyuan has used her platform to advance health and education causes. She was appointed a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in 2011 and has participated in various international forums advocating for women’s education and health. In 2014, UNESCO named her Special Envoy for the Promotion of Girls’ and Women’s Education. That same year, Massey University in New Zealand awarded her an Honorary Doctorate for her contributions to performing arts and public health.
Peng has also played a role in U.S.–China cultural diplomacy. In 2015, she participated in the founding of the Tianjin Juilliard School, an extension of the New York-based Juilliard School, marking the institution’s first accredited international campus. She received an honorary doctorate from the Juilliard School in 2017 for her contributions to the arts and global education.
Early Life and Education
Peng was born in Yuncheng County, Shandong Province, into a culturally rich family. Her father was the director of a county cultural center and her mother a Yu opera performer. Encouraged by her family, Peng began singing opera at the age of four. She studied at the Shandong University of Arts and later the China Conservatory of Music, where she earned China’s first master’s degree in folk vocal music under the mentorship of Jin Tielin.
Military and Political Involvement
Peng joined the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as a civilian artist in 1980 and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually attaining the rank of major general. She performed for soldiers on the front lines and became a well-known figure within military and artistic circles. She is a member of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and served on the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission’s Accreditation Committee.
Personal Life
Peng married Xi Jinping on 1 September 1987. Despite their demanding careers, the couple has maintained a strong partnership. They have one daughter, Xi Mingze, born in 1992. Peng is noted for her understated yet fashionable style, often credited to designer Ma Ke, which has made her an icon of modern elegance in China.
- 20 November 1962
- China
- President Xi Jinping
- 2013 – Present.
