Yang Lan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yang Lan
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| 杨澜 | |
Yang in 2012
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| Born | March 31, 1968 Beijing, China
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| Nationality | Chinese |
| Alma mater | Beijing Foreign Studies University Columbia University |
| Occupation | Co-founder and former chairperson of Sun Media Group Philanthropist Author |
| Television | Yang Lan Studio |
| Spouse(s) | Zhang Yibin (divorced) Bruno Wu |
Yang Lan (born March 31, 1968) is a well-known Chinese media leader, journalist, and talk show host. She helped start the Sun Media Group and the Sun Culture Foundation. In 2013, Forbes magazine named her one of the 100 most powerful women in the world.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Yang Lan was born in 1968 in Beijing, China. Her mother was a civil engineer. Her father, Yan Mingfu, taught English at Beijing Foreign Studies University. He also worked as a translator for China's former Premier, Zhou Enlai.
From 1980 to 1986, Yang Lan attended a high school linked to Beijing Polytechnic University. She then studied English Language and Literature at Beijing Foreign Studies University. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1990.
Career in Media
Starting on TV: Zheng Da Variety Show
Yang Lan began her career at local TV stations. In 1990, she joined China Central Television (CCTV). She became a host for the popular program Zheng Da Variety Show. She hosted the show with Jiang Kun.
The show was very successful. After Jiang Kun left, Yang Lan continued hosting with Zhao Zhongxiang. They worked together for two and a half years. In late 1993, the CEO of Charoen Pokphand encouraged Yang Lan to study abroad. He even offered to pay for her schooling.
Studying in America
In 1994, Yang Lan left the Zheng Da Variety Show to study in New York. She first studied film at New York University. She wanted to focus on social and cultural programs, not just variety shows. For two years, she studied journalism, including TV news and documentaries.
During this time, she also created a program called Yang Lan Sight. This show was for Shanghai's Dragon Television. In it, she talked about American art, films, and social events.
Yang Lan earned a master's degree from Columbia University. She is now part of Columbia University's International Advisory Council. In 1995, she returned to CCTV during her summer break. She hosted the International Collegiate Debate Competition.
Joining Phoenix Television
In 1997, Yang Lan worked as a spokesperson for Project Hope. This is a major charity in China. This experience showed her the poverty in some parts of China. It made her want to provide cultural journalism for Chinese people.
After graduating, Yang Lan joined Phoenix Television in Hong Kong in July 1997. This station broadcast news and entertainment across China.
In January 1998, she started her own talk show, Yang Lan Studio. On this show, she interviewed important people. Her guests included famous investors and business leaders. In April 1998, she launched another show, These Hundred Years. This program explored history using documentary clips and her commentary.
Yang Lan was named one of Asia's top social and cultural leaders in 1999. She left Phoenix Chinese Channel in October 1999 to focus on her children. Her two shows were very popular and brought in a lot of advertising money for Phoenix Television.
Sun Media Group
In 2000, Yang Lan and her husband, Bruno Wu, started Sun TV. This was the first Chinese channel focused on history and culture. Sun TV worked with A+E Networks to adapt history programs for Chinese viewers. They also made their own Chinese shows.
In 2000 and 2001, Forbes magazine recognized Sun TV as one of the world's best small businesses. On June 25, 2001, Yang Lan Studio changed its name to Yang Lan One On One. This show covered important topics in China and around the world.
In 2005, Yang Lan and Bruno Wu gave 51% of Sun Media Group to the Sun Culture Foundation. This made it a non-profit organization. Yang Lan also stepped down from her management roles at Sun Media Group.
In 2005, she created Her Village. This was a TV talk show for urban Chinese women. It grew into a community to help women. She has always worked to improve communication between different cultures.
In 2007, Yang Lan and singer Celine Dion announced they would start a jewelry company in China. They decided to work together after Yang Lan interviewed Celine Dion. They found out they shared the same birthday.
As of 2025, Yang Lan holds a major stake in DeepGreenX. This company uses digital technology to combine sustainability data with blockchain. It is based in Canada and plans to trade on the NYSE.
Endorsements
Yang Lan has been a spokesperson for several well-known brands. These include Colgate toothpaste (2009), Nanshan Bywise milk powder (2010), Bluemoon hand sanitiser (2010), Masterkong mineralized Water (2013), and Deli stationery (2015).
Yang Lan One-on-One
Yang Lan One-on-One is a famous TV talk show. It focuses on learning about important people from politics, business, society, and culture. Yang Lan explores their life stories, career experiences, and personal thoughts.
This show has been on air for over sixteen years. It is one of the most respected talk shows in China. Yang Lan's unique style has allowed her to interview many international figures. Her guests have included Bill Clinton, Elon Musk, Nicole Kidman, Jackie Chan, and Kobe Bryant.
Awards and Recognitions
Yang Lan has received many honors. She was chosen to represent China for Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games. She was also named a Goodwill Ambassador for the 2010 Shanghai Expo.
Today, she is a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics. She is also the first UNICEF Ambassador in China. She co-chairs the Lincoln Center China Advisory Council.
Her awards include:
- Chinese Women of the Year award
- Top Ten Women Entrepreneurs award
- She Made It: Women Creating Television & Radio award
- Global Leadership Award from Columbia University
- National Philanthropy Award
- Women’s Achievement Award in China
Personal Life
Yang Lan was previously married to Zhang Yibin. She later divorced him. While studying in New York, she met Bruno Wu. They married in October 1995.
Bruno Wu comes from a well-known family in Shanghai. His grandfather was China's ambassador to the League of Nations. Bruno Wu studied in France and America. He was running his own media consulting company when he met Yang Lan.
Yang Lan and Bruno Wu returned to China in late 1996. Yang Lan published a book of her essays and travel stories called Enjoy Wind by Seaside. It sold 600,000 copies.
Olympics Roles
Yang Lan played several important roles for China's 2008 Olympic Games:
- September 1993: Representative for China's bid for the 2000 Olympics.
- July 13, 2001: Olympic Goodwill Ambassador and Presentation Speaker.
- June 9, 2004: Athens Olympic torchbearer.
- January 2007: Executive producer and host of Olympic Songfest. This TV program selected Olympic songs.
- August 8, 2007: Host of the Beijing 2008 One-year Countdown program.
- May 4, 2008: Beijing Olympic torchbearer.
- August 24, 2008: Host at the Closing Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
