Lee Shau-kee, the founder of Hong Kong's Henderson Land Development and one of the city's most successful property businesspeople and philanthropists, passed away on January 2, 2023, at the age of 97.
Born to a merchant family in Shunde, Guangdong province in 1928, Lee began his business career in Hong Kong in his twenties and established Henderson in 1976. His decades-long success in real estate development and investment made him one of the wealthiest people in the world. In 1996, he was ranked by Forbes as the fourth-richest person globally, with a total fortune of $12.7 billion.
Beyond his business achievements, Lee was also celebrated for his charitable works. In 2008, Lee and Henderson together donated nearly HK$600 million ($77.2 million) to assist people struck by the magnitude-8 Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan province. Lee's charity foundations have generously supported students and universities throughout Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, promoting educational development.
Lee was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal by the SAR government in 2007 in recognition of his contributions. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed his condolences on Lee's passing in a statement, praising him as an exceptional business leader and entrepreneur who contributed greatly to the economic development, prosperity, and stability of Hong Kong. Lee's generous donations and dedication to supporting talent also contributed to the development of education and research, the chief executive said.
5 Comments
Karamba
Lee Shau-kee's legacy is tarnished by his role in Hong Kong's sky-high property prices and housing crisis. While he was a successful businessman, his actions contributed to the suffering of many ordinary people.
Rotfront
He was a true leader. He was able to inspire and motivate others to achieve their goals.
Matzomaster
He was a true friend. He was always there for his family and friends, and he would do anything for them.
Karamba
He was a true pioneer. He was not afraid to take risks, and his innovative thinking helped to shape the Hong Kong economy.
Rotfront
His death is a reminder of the human cost of unchecked capitalism. His success came at the expense of others' well-being.