MALAYSIA: Michelle Yeoh receives France's top citizen award in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, one of Asia's biggest film stars, received France's highest civilian honour at a glittering function in the Malaysian capital on Wednesday (October 3). Yeoh, best known to Western audiences for her roles in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Tomorrow Never Dies," received the Knight of the Legion of Honour from the French ambassador to Malaysia, Alain du Boispean. Dressed in an ivory Cavalli gown encrusted with crystals, Michelle Yeoh shared her honour with fellow Malaysians, her friends and family. "A recognition for things we have done before, particularly in my nature of work, the work being an actor... I really share this award with fellow Malaysians not just in France but also in Malaysia," she said. The charismatic actress studied dance and martial arts before winning the Miss Malaysia beauty pageant in 1983 that led to a commercial with action star Jackie Chan and then a film career. Yeoh is engaged to Ferrari's Formula One team executive director, Jean Todt who was at the ceremony, as well. France's Legion of Honour, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, has five distinct ranks and is conferred for outstanding achievements in either military or civil life.

ITN Source | October 4, 2007

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