Li Cunxin AO

Li was born in China and was selected to study at Beijing Dance Academy in 1972. Upon his graduation in 1979, he received one of the first cultural exchange scholarships to America. Li subsequently became principal dancer with Houston Ballet and then The Australian Ballet. He guest performed with some of the best ballet companies in the world, winning many awards and accolades.
He retired from dancing in 1999 and then made a successful career transition from ballet into finance as a senior manager at one of the largest stockbroking firms in Australia.
In 2003, Li published his international best-selling autobiography, “Mao’s Last Dancer”, which has received numerous awards and was adapted as a feature film in 2009.
He was awarded Honorary Doctorates by the Australian Catholic and University, Griffith University for his contribution in Dance, Literature and Society. He was named Queensland Australian of The Year in 2014 and was awarded an AO (Officer of the Order of Australia) in 2019.
He is currently the Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet.