Michelle Yeoh was emotional as she picked up the Oscar for best actress at the 95th Academy Awards in The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
She was up against tough competition with Cate Blanchett in Tár, Ana De Armas in Blonde, Andrea Riseborough in To Leslie and Michelle Williams in The Fabelmans.
Yeoh gave an inspirational speech after becoming the first Asian to win best actress.
Accepting her prize, the 60-year-old said: “For all the little boys and girls who look like me, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. Dream big, dreams do come true. Ladies, never let anyone tell you you are past your prime.
“I have to dedicate this to my mum, all the mums in the world because they are really the superhero’s and without them none of us would be here tonight. She’s 84 and I’m taking this home to her.”
Thanking the women of Hong Kong, she said: "Thank you for letting me stand on your shoulders, for giving me a leg up," before adding: “This is history in the making.”
Yeoh has already won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role in the offbeat comedy drama.
Her Academy Award win makes her not only the second non-white person to win the Oscar for best actress, but also the first from an Asian background.
Everything Everywhere All at Once was the big winner at this year's Academy Awards.
It took home seven awards including the coveted best picture after sweeping the board at many other award ceremonies.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Ke Huy Quan won for their supporting actress and actor roles in the eccentric sci-fi comedy drama.
Halle Berry, who was the first woman of colour to win a best actress Oscar in 2002 for Monster's Ball, and Jessica Chastain presented the award after Will Smith, who after winning best actor last year would have traditionally handed over the award, was banned from the ceremony.
After Smith slapped host Chris Rock on stage at last year's awards, the King Richard star was banned for 10 years from all Academy events, including the Oscars gala.
The Academy did not announced Smith's replacement prior to the ceremony.
