Chinese director Zhang Yimou's personal wealth has recently been valued at 4 billion RMB.
   
This includes his personal income, estimated at 78 million RMB in total.
   
Since 1984, this controversial director has not only directed but been in charge of photography in his films.
   
Zhang Yimou has been labeled the number one Chinese director in the world.
   
He has made the careers of actresses like Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, who have regularly appeared in his blockbusters.

(CRI November 3, 2004)