Michelle Yeoh was born Yeoh Choo Kheng in Ipoh, Malaysia, where she received primary and secondary education. While in High School she was active in sports, and represented Malaysia in national squash, diving and swimming competitions. Here passion for ballet started at the early age of four. Yeoh enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dance in London, where she attained the Advanced Level degree. However, her ballet career was cut short by an injury. This event changed her course of study, and she subsequently attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Creative Arts in England.

Upon graduation and unbeknownst to Yeoh, her mother entered her in a national beauty pageant. In 983, she was crowned Miss Malaysia. That same year, she also won the title of Miss Moomba in Melbourne, Australia.

In 1984, Yeoh was invited to Hong Kong to make a commercial that would also star Jackie Chan. Instantly she became the most sought after new Talent in the movie industry. She signed with D&B Films and debuted in 1985 in the action comedy Owl vs. Dumbo, in a non-action role. It was her second film, Yes, Madam, that established her as the premiere female action star in Asia. Her next two pictures, Royal Warriors (also known as In the Line of Duty) and Magnificent Warriors, further established her position. Her dance training and athletic prowess contributed to one of the unique characteristics of her acting talent, she performed her own stunts. In 1992, Yeoh became the most popular and highest paid actress in Asia with the release of Police Story III: Supercop, co-starring Jackie Chan. This film went on to become the top-grossing film in Asia that year. In the next two years, Yeoh made a total of eight pictures, including the cult classics The Heroic Trio and Tai-Chi Master.

In 1995, expanding her scope, she starred in two dramatic films in a row: the periodic epic The Soong Sisters, for which she was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress trophy by the Hog Kong Film Awards, and Stuntswoman, directed by Ann Hui, the acclaimed director of Summer Snow. In 1997, Yeoh co-starred in the box-office hit Tomorrow Never Dies for MGM, which was to become the top-grossing Bond film to date.