[1] Xi was born into a worker's family in Chuansha County, Jiangsu (now Pudong New Area, Shanghai) on 20 April 1955.
[2] In 1973, she enrolled at Shanghai Theatre Academy, where she majored in the Performance Department.
[2] In 1982, Zhou Yemang [zh] also came to work at Shanghai People's Art Theatre, and the two got married in 1985.
[2] Shortly after marriage, Zhou obtained a three-year study abroad spot in Canada, causing a rift in their marital relationship.
[2] Shortly thereafter, the two divorced, and Zhou remarried "Qiong Girl" Wang Zhixia (琼女郎”王之夏).