Zhao, who directed ‘Nomadland’, is the first woman of Asian descent and second woman ever to win the best director’s award in 78 years of Golden Globes history.
“This award belongs to the entire ‘Nomadland’ team,” Zhao said. “Thank you, everyone who made it possible for me to do what I love.”
Zhao’s film also recorded the best film – drama.
Zhao is the first woman to win Best Director at the Golden Globes since Barbara Streisand won ‘Yentl’ in 1983.
Zhao was nominated for Emerald Fennell (‘Promising Young Woman’), Regina King (‘One Night in Miami’), David Fincher (‘Mank’) and Aaron Sorkin (‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’).
A total of eight women have been nominated in the category since the start of the Golden Globes.
Barbara Streisand, Jane Campion, Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVernay and Kathryn Bigelow were also nominated in the category.