As one of the most popular film actresses in China through the 1950s and '60s, she was praised by premier Zhou Enlai as "the most beautiful woman in China".

In her later years Qin spent much of her time and effort taking care of her son, Jin Jie, who suffered from schizophrenia and died at the age of 59 in 2007, while carrying on with her acting career. She made one of her last film appearances in Legend of the Demon Cat (2017), directed by Chen Kaige.

Qin was named People's Artist in 2019. She was the first filmmaker to win this honorary title from the Chinese government.