The famous theoretical physicist, Yang Chen-Ning referred to Xie Yuming as the person that the Nobel Prize missed.

When the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out, Xie when to Hunan University to study physics; but she had to withdraw from school due to illness of bone tuberculosis.

Cao started sending her numerous letters in the name of academic discussions, which helped Xie cheer up and continue her studies.

She taught at University of Shanghai for a year, and then was able to get a scholarship to study for a master's degree in physics at Smith College in the United States,[3] graduating in 1949.

[2] In 1952, Cao Tianqin, who was studying in United Kingdom at that time, obtained a "special certificate" to pledge for her release in order to have their wedding in UK.

In 1958, she passed out in her lab due to overworking and was diagnosed with late-stage kidney stone and heart disease when she was sent to hospital.

In 1966, as numerous Cultural Revolution victims among China's educated scholars, Xide was sent to do hard labor choirs despite her illness; she was later diagnosed with breast cancer.

During her tenure, she founded Center for American Studies[8] in Fudan to encourage students to learn about world leading research and international relations.

Xie Xide pursued a distinguished career as a scientist, making important contributions in the field of solid-state physics.

[9] Xie Xide was appointed to the Communist Party's Central Committee in 1982 and served as one of 210 full members.

[2][6] Xie Xide's husband, Cao Tianqin suffered a coma in 1987 when he was attending a global biology and ecology conference in Israel.