By Eddie Kelodie | Zoriberry News | September 3, 2025
The heart of Africa welcomed a global icon this week, as Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh arrived in Rwanda for a visit that blended remembrance, culture, and the natural wonders of the country. Yeoh, celebrated across the world for her roles in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Tomorrow Never Dies, and the Academy Award-winning Everything Everywhere All At Once, expressed both solemn reflection and boundless excitement as she shared her Rwandan journey with millions of followers online.
Michelle Yeoh touched down in Kigali on the evening of Tuesday, September 2, 2025, and wasted no time before heading straight to the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi. The memorial, which honors the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, left a deep impression on the actress. In a heartfelt post on her Facebook account, Yeoh described the visit as a powerful experience of memory and learning.
> “I have arrived in the beautiful country of Rwanda and immediately went to the Kigali Genocide Memorial,” she wrote. “To remember and to learn, about how people showed resilience, unity, and moved forward on the path of forgiveness and kindness.”
Her words resonated with followers around the world, echoing the universal message of resilience and reconciliation that Rwanda has come to represent over the past three decades.
But Rwanda’s story is not only one of painful history — it is also one of breathtaking natural beauty. On the morning of Wednesday, September 3, Yeoh made her way north to the misty slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, where she embarked on a gorilla trekking expedition in Volcanoes National Park.
There, she encountered one of the park’s most famous gorilla families, led by the dominant silverback affectionately known as Big Ben. Overjoyed by the experience, Yeoh shared her excitement with fans in a post that was filled with unfiltered joy.
> “It’s me here!! Yooo! Yooo! Yooo! Thank you Rwanda. What a beautiful morning I had with the gorilla family led by Big Ben. I even filmed the moment when he turned and walked right past me. It was absolutely magical.”
The encounter reflects why Rwanda has become one of the most sought-after destinations for travelers seeking a mix of cultural depth and unforgettable adventure.
From Dance Floors to Hollywood Fame
Michelle Yeoh’s presence in Rwanda is significant not only because of her celebrity status but also because of the remarkable journey that has defined her life and career. Born on August 6, 1962 in Ipoh, Malaysia, Yeoh was raised in a Chinese-Malaysian family. She began her artistic path as a ballet dancer, enrolling at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance in London. Yet an unfortunate spinal injury cut short her dream of becoming a professional dancer.
That setback, however, became the turning point that steered her toward the world of film. In 1983, she won the crown of Miss Malaysia World, which opened doors into modeling and later into the Hong Kong action film industry. By the mid-1980s, Yeoh was starring in action-packed films that set her apart from her contemporaries. Unlike many actresses of her generation, she insisted on performing her own stunts — a decision that earned her admiration and cemented her reputation as a fearless star.
Her breakout roles came with movies like Yes, Madam (1985) alongside Jackie Chan and Cynthia Rothrock, and later Police Story 3: Supercop (1992), which catapulted her into Asia-wide fame.
Hollywood soon followed. In 1997, Yeoh was introduced to global audiences as Wai Lin, the martial-arts-trained Bond girl in Tomorrow Never Dies. Only three years later, she stunned critics and audiences alike with her performance in Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a Chinese-language epic that went on to win multiple Academy Awards and redefine martial arts cinema.
Yeoh’s career since then has spanned an impressive range of roles from the period drama Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), to portraying democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi in The Lady (2011), to her widely acclaimed performance in the blockbuster romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians (2018).
In recent years, she has continued to redefine herself, appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) and starring in Star Trek: Discovery.
But her crowning achievement came in 2023, when she made history by becoming the first Malaysian and the first Asian actress ever to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once captivated audiences worldwide and solidified her as one of the most influential actresses of her time.
Rwanda as a Stage for Memory and Wonder. Yeoh’s visit to Rwanda symbolizes more than a celebrity sightseeing tour. It underscores how Rwanda has become a crossroads of global remembrance and eco-tourism. The Kigali Genocide Memorial serves as a place of solemn reflection, where international visitors learn about the country’s tragic past and its extraordinary journey toward reconciliation. At the same time, Volcanoes National Park offers an awe-inspiring adventure, giving travelers the rare chance to connect directly with one of the world’s most endangered species — the mountain gorillas.
By sharing her journey so openly, Michelle Yeoh has not only highlighted Rwanda’s story of healing and resilience but also reinforced its reputation as a destination for global icons seeking both meaning and magic.
As Rwanda continues to welcome leaders, dignitaries, and celebrities from across the world, Michelle Yeoh’s visit shines a light on a nation that embodies survival, unity, and natural wonder a stage where history and beauty meet in unforgettable harmony.