KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 8 -- Oscar-winning Malaysian actor Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh has opened up about the unexpected turns in her life, from a career-ending injury to marrying at 60 after a 19-year engagement.

In an interview with The Guardian, the 64-year-old described her early setback at 17, when a back injury while studying ballet in England shattered her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

She compared the moment to looking into a "mirror that shatters," recalling how she thought her life was over.

It was her principal at the Hammond school, Mrs Hammond, who helped her pivot, telling her to "calm down, crazy little girl" and reminding her she could still be involved in dance.

Yeoh went on to earn a degree in creative arts at what ...