Lin Chi-ling (born 29 November 1974) is a Taiwanese actress, model, and television personality.^[1][2]

Lin Chi-ling was born on 29 November 1974 in Taipei, Taiwan. Lin's father, Lin Fan-nan (Chinese: 林繁男), and her mother, Wu Tzu-mei (Chinese: 吳慈美), are both from Tainan in southern Taiwan. Following their marriage, they moved to Taipei where Lin and her elder brother Lin Chi-hong (Chinese: 林志鴻) were born. Lin attended Taipei Municipal Zhongzheng Junior High School and at the age of 15 was discovered by model talent scout Lin Chien-huan (Chinese: 林健寰).^[3] She later attended Bishop Strachan School in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, then attended the University of Toronto until 1997, when she completed her bachelor degree, double-majoring in Western art history and economics.

After graduating from university, Lin returned to Taiwan.^[4] She intended to pursue a career in fine art and sought a position at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, but was turned away because she lacked a postgraduate degree in the field.^[5] Lin continued to model part-time before leaving the industry and working as an administrative assistant for the Fubon Cultural and Educational Foundation (富邦文教基金會). In 2000, Lin left Fubon and spent three months studying in Japan, then returned to Taiwan and modeling, with Catwalk Production House.

As of 2006, Lin has served as an official spokesperson for both China Airlines and Longines.^[11]

Taiwanese media reported Lin as No. 1 model in the "Richest Celebrities [in Taiwan]" list in 2007, with estimated earnings of NT$60,000,000 (≈ AU$2,100,000 ≈ CA$1,900,000 ≈ UK£906,000 ≈ US$1,900,000), in which Jay Chou appeared as No. 1 male singer (with over NT$100,000,000) and Jolin Tsai appeared as No. 1 female singer (with nearly NT$100,000,000).^[12]

Hong Kong press reported she was 2009's No. 1 highest-paid model in the Greater China region, followed by Chinese Jennifer Du (#2), Hong Kong's Gaile Lai (#3) and Lynn Hung (#4).^[13] She has continuously ranked No. 1 on Taiwan's "Highest-earning models" list since 2004. Her earnings was estimated to be NT$160,000,000 (≈ AU$5,400,000 ≈ CA$5,400,000 ≈ UK£3,370,000 ≈ US$5,320,000) in 2010, which consisted of those from advertisements (NT$120,000,000) and various such as TV-series appearance in Japan (NT$40,000,000),^[14] and NT$200,000,000 (≈ AU$6,600,000 ≈ CA$6,800,000 ≈ UK£4,240,000 ≈ US$6,600,000) in 2011.^[15]

In the same year, she established a charity fund Chiling Charity Foundation (財團法人臺北市志玲姊姊慈善基金會),^[16] which supports child welfare.^[17]

Lin was in an on and off relationship with Taiwanese actor Jerry Yan for many years.^[18] Yan admitted to reuniting with Lin on 10 November 2017, but this was neither confirmed nor denied by Lin.^[19][20] Around one year later, however, Yan refused to comment^[21] and Lin denied dating.^[22] On 6 June 2019, Lin announced her marriage to Akira, a member of the Japanese pop band Exile.^[23][24] Lin announced the birth of her first child, a son, on 31 January 2022, after undergoing fertility treatments.^[25][26]

• "International Artist Credibility Award", 2nd International Television Commercial Arts Festival in 2006
• "Hong Kong Style Icons", Hong Kong Trade Development Council in 2006
• "Top Ten China Beauty", 5th International Beauty Week in 2006
• "Best Fashion Icon at the 2nd Entertainment Award at Beijing in 2007
• "Most popular New Actress", Baidu Award in 2008
• "Best New Actress", Sina Award in 2008
• "Best Asia Star Award", Asia Model Awards at Korea in 2009
• "Most Influential Charity Icon", Charity Star Award in 2009
• "2017 University College Alumni of Influence Award", University of Toronto at Canada in 2017