At 18, Li Cunxin received one of the first cultural scholarships to America, leading to a soloist contract with the Houston Ballet. Two years later, he defected to the West in a dramatic media event that involved then Vice President George Bush Sr.
Li Cunxin quickly became one of the world's top dancers, earning two silver and one bronze medal at International Ballet Competitions. In 1995, Li and his family moved to Australia, where he spent his final three and a half years as a principal dancer with the Australian Ballet.
During his last two years of dancing, Li studied finance at the Australian Securities Institute, aspiring to become a stockbroker. His daily routine involved starting ballet practice at five in the morning, working at the stock exchange by eight, and joining his fellow dancers for afternoon rehearsals.
Li Cunxin successfully transitioned from ballet to finance in 1999 and became a senior manager at one of Australia's largest stockbroking firms.
His inspirational life story is detailed in his memoir, "Mao’s Last Dancer," published by Penguin Australia in September 2003. It quickly topped the Australian Non-Fiction Best-Seller List and was listed in Amazon.com's Break-Out Books shortly after its US release. The book received the Christopher Award for Literature.
Mao’s Last Dancer won the Book of the Year Award in Australia and was shortlisted for several prestigious literary awards. Now in its 32nd reprint, it has been translated into multiple languages and is sold in over 20 countries. In May 2005, a Young Readers Edition was released in Australia. Jane Scott and Jan Sardi, the Academy Award-winning producer and screenplay writer of "Shine," are collaborating to produce a feature film based on Li’s extraordinary life.
As a motivational and inspirational speaker, Li Cunxin’s unique real-life story resonates deeply with corporate and conference audiences, effectively aligning with various themes and objectives. His story touches people deeply and leaves a lasting impact.
