Zhang, now 31, first garnered national attention in China in 2009 when a photo of her wearing a schoolgirl outfit and holding a cup of milk tea went viral online. Since then, she has been affectionately dubbed the “milk tea sister,” appearing in numerous TV shows and fashion magazines.

Her profile further increased when celebrated filmmaker Zhang Yimou invited her to star in “The Flowers of War.” However, she declined the offer to focus on her studies.

In addition to her public presence, Zhang’s academic achievements are notable. In 2011, she secured direct admission to the prestigious Tsinghua University.

This year, she was listed by the economic and financial research firm Hurun in its “Most Successful Alumni” list, which highlights the top graduates from China’s elite universities. Zhang stood out as Tsinghua University’s wealthiest alumna, according to the list, with an estimated net worth of 60 billion yuan (US$8.4 billion).

This marks the third consecutive year that Zhang has topped the list.