Kao Chin Su-mei

Kao Chin Su-mei is a Taiwanese politician and former entertainer, known internationally as May Chin and by her Atayal name Ciwas Ali. Born September 21, 1965, she first gained fame in the 1980s as a Mandopop singer and actress, starring in Ang Lee's The Wedding Banquet (1993). After a successful entertainment career, she retired in 1999 following a liver cancer battle and entered politics.

Since December 2001, Kao has served as a legislator in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, representing the Highland Aborigines electoral district. A seven-term independent, she is a prominent advocate for indigenous rights. As of 2026, she faces legal proceedings related to alleged corruption, with an indictment in June 2026. [edit]

Kao Chin Su-mei was born in Heping District, a mountainous area of Taichung, Taiwan. Her heritage blends Manchu and Atayal indigenous roots, and her Atayal name is Ciwas Ali. Growing up in an indigenous community, she was exposed to both cultural traditions, which later shaped her political advocacy.

In the 1980s, Kao began her entertainment career as a singer and actress in Taiwan's Mandopop and television industries. She released several albums and appeared in numerous television dramas, establishing herself as a household name. Her early work also included hosting television programs, showcasing her versatility.

Her big break came in 1993 when she was cast in Ang Lee's internationally acclaimed film The Wedding Banquet. The film won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, bringing Kao international recognition. However, in 1999, she was diagnosed with liver cancer, a disease that is the second most deadly in Taiwan. After successfully recovering, she decided to step away from performing and pivot to public service. [edit]

Kao Chin Su-mei's political career began in December 2001 when she was elected to Taiwan's Legislative Yuan as a representative of the Highland Aborigines electoral district. She has been re-elected consistently, serving seven terms by 2026. Initially the sole member of the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union, she later became an independent legislator aligned with the Pan-Blue Coalition.

Throughout her tenure, Kao has been a vocal advocate for indigenous rights. In 2005, she led aboriginal protests near Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, demanding the removal of ancestors' names. In 2013, she hosted 20 children from Beichuan County, Sichuan, at a donation ceremony in Taipei, supporting them after the 2008 earthquake. She has also been active in opposing legislative setbacks affecting indigenous sovereignty.

In 2026, Kao's career took a dramatic turn. On February 10, prosecutors raided her office as part of a fraud investigation. She was released on NT$1 million bail on February 13. On June 8, she was indicted on corruption and fraud charges, accused of claiming over NT$7.87 million in fraudulent assistant fees. Prosecutors are seeking a 12-year-six-month prison sentence. [edit]

Kao Chin Su-mei is known as a vocal, independent advocate for indigenous rights, maintaining political independence across party lines. Her entertainment-era image was as a Mandopop singer and dramatic actress. In 2026, media coverage has focused on her legal troubles, with Taiwanese outlets reporting extensively on the corruption investigation and indictment. Her social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube suggests direct engagement with supporters. [edit]

Kao Chin Su-mei commands a unique space in the public consciousness where political activism and former stardom collide. Unlike pop idols with organized fan clubs, her support base is rooted in her constituency and shared advocacy for indigenous rights rather than ritualized fandom or chart-chasing campaigns. There is no formal name for her followers; they are voters, allies, and constituents who view her through the lens of legislative service and humanitarian work. Her legendary status stems not from viral dance challenges or concert riots, but from high-stakes moments like adopting twenty children in Beichuan County following the 2008 earthquake and leading protests at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine to reclaim indigenous ancestral names. These acts forged a narrative of fierce independence that recently shifted dramatically amid her 2026 corruption indictment, turning her into a figure of intense debate rather than simple adoration. Despite the legal shadows, her cultural footprint remains significant across Taiwan. Kao Chin Su-mei is currently the 23rd most famous person in Taiwanese Drama, a placement reflecting her enduring legacy from her acting days in films like The Wedding Banquet. This standing is tracked by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, which monitor global attention across media coverage, search trends, and consumption signals worldwide.[edit]

Born September 21, 1965, Kao Chin Su-mei carries the Atayal name Ciwas Ali, reflecting her mixed Manchu and Atayal heritage, an uncommon combination in Taiwan. She rose to fame in the 1980s as a Mandopop singer and actress before retiring in 1999 after battling liver cancer, the second deadliest cancer in the region. Her English alias May Chin appears frequently in international contexts. A seven-term independent legislator, she was once the sole member of the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union in the legislature. Beyond politics, she gained global attention for adopting 20 children from Sichuan's Beichuan County after the 2008 earthquake, a verified act of humanitarian aid that cemented her reputation as a compassionate leader. Her advocacy extends to demanding justice for indigenous ancestors' names at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine in 2005. In recent years, her public image has been complicated by a February 2026 raid on her office regarding misappropriated salary payments, leading to a formal indictment in June 2026 for fraud involving over NT$7.87 million in assistant fees.[edit]

Kao Chin Su-mei has not been publicly documented as married and has no known biological children. She keeps her family life private. In 2013, media highlighted her philanthropic role supporting 20 children from Beichuan County, Sichuan, whom she hosted in Taipei on July 19, 2013, following the 2008 earthquake. [edit]

Kao Chin Su-mei is associated with director Ang Lee, who directed her breakthrough film The Wedding Banquet. In 2026, she was co-indicted with 23 others in a corruption case, including a co-defendant named Chang. [edit]

Kao Chin Su-mei has kept her personal life private, with no confirmed romantic relationships documented in available sources. As of 2026, she appears to be single, with her public focus on her legal proceedings. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Kao Chin Su-mei's net worth stands at $2 Million as of 2026. This valuation reflects earnings accumulated during her vibrant entertainment career in the 1980s and 1990s as a singer, actress, and television host, alongside her legislative salary spanning seven terms in the Legislative Yuan. No endorsement deals or external business ventures are publicly documented to contribute to this total. Given her ongoing legal situation involving corruption charges, the stability of her financial status remains subject to potential changes.[edit]