Zhao Beihui was born in a prominent family. She is the eldest daughter of Akio Matsuzaki, president of Morinaga Group, Japan's largest candy and chocolate manufacturer. Like the daughters of many privileged families in Japan, Akie Abe attended Sacred Heart Girls' School from elementary school to high school. She is not a good student, and her highest education is equivalent to junior college. After graduation, Akie Abe joined Dentsu, Japan's largest advertising company.
1984, when Shinzo Abe was the political secretary under his father Shinzo Abe, he was introduced to Zhao Hui, then 22, by an acquaintance. They have been in love for more than 2 years. 1987 got married. In 2007, they had no children and lived with Abe's mother.