Film grants belated recognition to first Chinese Bond girl

Surviving an all-time low in life

Her mother's tragic death in 1968 dealt a painful blow. To top it all, Tsai lost her London property amid Britain's terrible economic crisis in the early 1970s.

Dogged by a series of misfortunes, Tsai began to suffer from mental health problems and was sent to an asylum, where she tried to kill herself.

One day she suddenly realized that she was destined to be an actor on the stage. She left London for the United States. In her new country, the former London superstar started over like many immigrants, and did menial work as a restaurant waitress, a typist and a librarian.

Summoned by the deep-down call to return to the stage, Tsai began to resume her acting career by performing in Boston's small theaters. She polished her craft and rediscovered herself in those small theater productions before she made her way to Tufts University to work on her master's degree.