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