Joseph Lau

$14.24 B

Ranked #194 in World

About Joseph Lau

Renowned Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau Luen-hung, born July 21, 1951, and a former chairman of Chinese Estates, boasts a $13.3 billion net worth as of September 2021. Lau, a convicted felon since 2014, resides in Hong Kong's priciest home. A University of Windsor alum, he guided Chinese Estates to major property acquisitions and developed The ONE retail complex. Lau's vast art and wine collections, reportedly worth over $1 billion, highlight his cultural impact. Despite legal tribulations and being a fugitive in Macau, Lau maintains significant business influence. Lau's personal life is marked by high-profile relationships and generous transfers of wealth to his family.

Born

July 21, 1951

Age

74 years

Source Of Wealth

Real Estate

Industries

Real Estate

Citizenship

Hong Kong

Residence

Hong Kong

Joseph Lau Luen-hung was born on July 21, 1951, in Hong Kong. His early life and childhood details are not widely known.

Joseph Lau: Family

Joseph Lau was married to Po Wing-kam from 1977 to 1992. They had two children together: Lau Ming-wai and Jade Lau Sau-yung. After his divorce, Lau had five additional children out of wedlock with two women.

In 2016, Lau married Kimbee Chan Hoi-wan. He transferred 75% of his shares in Chinese Estates to his wife and son due to health issues in 2017.

Joseph Lau: Career Highlights

Lau attended the University of Windsor in Canada before joining his family's business in 1974. He renamed the company Evergo Industrial Enterprise in 1978 and took it public in Hong Kong in 1982.

In 1985, Lau shifted Evergo's focus to investment-holding and property-management services. He became the majority shareholder of Chinese Estates Holdings in 1986 and expanded the company's real estate investments through acquisitions.

One of Lau's notable achievements was the development of The ONE, the tallest retail complex in Hong Kong, which opened in 2010. He later gifted the property to his wife and children in 2017.

Joseph Lau: Companies

Joseph Lau has been involved with several companies throughout his career, including:

Chinese Estates Holdings
Evergo Industrial Enterprise
Chi Cheung Investment

Joseph Lau: Major Achievements

Lau's major achievements include:

Developing The ONE, the tallest retail complex in Hong Kong
Becoming a prominent art collector, ranked among ARTnews's "Top 200 Collectors"
Owning a valuable collection of red wine

Joseph Lau: Awards & Achievements

Lau has received various awards and recognitions, such as:

Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor (2010)
Gold Bauhinia Star from the Hong Kong SAR Government (2011)

Joseph Lau: Personal Life & Legacy

Lau is known for his lavish lifestyle and expensive purchases, including a Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet for private use and extravagant diamonds for his daughter.

He has been involved in legal issues, including a bribery case in Macau that resulted in a conviction and a five-year prison sentence.

Lau remains a fugitive as Macau and Hong Kong do not have an extradition treaty.

Joseph Lau: Trivia

Lau is a fan of Chinese opera and has supported various opera troupes.
He is also a philanthropist and has made donations to educational institutions and charitable organizations.
Lau's net worth was estimated at $13.3 billion in September 2021, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in Hong Kong.

Wealth History

Timeline

21 July 1951

Joseph Lau Luen-hung is born in Hong Kong.

1974

Lau joins his family's business after attending the University of Windsor in Canada.

1978

Lau renames the company Evergo Industrial Enterprise.

1982

Evergo holds an initial public offering in Hong Kong.

1985

Lau switches Evergo's business focus to investment-holding and property-management services.

1986

Lau becomes the majority shareholder of Chinese Estates Holdings.

2000

Lau expands real estate investments through acquisitions, including a 67% stake in Chi Cheung Investment.

2007

Lau purchases Paul Gauguin's "Te Poipoi" for $39.2 million.

2010

The ONE, the tallest retail complex in Hong Kong, developed by Lau, opens.

2014

Lau is convicted of bribery and money laundering in Macau and resigns from Chinese Estates.

2015

Lau's appeal against the conviction is rejected.

2016

Lau marries Kimbee Chan.

2017

Lau gifts The ONE to his wife and children and transfers 75% shares in Chinese Estates to them due to health issues.

2020

Lau sells David Hockney's "The Splash" for $29.9 million, setting a record for Hockney at auction.

Joseph Lau : FAQs

What is Joseph Lau's current net worth?

Joseph Lau's current net worth is $14.24 billion.

What is Joseph Lau's current global rank among billionaires?

Joseph Lau holds the 194th position globally among billionaires.

What is Joseph Lau's current ranking within the Hong Kong?

Joseph Lau holds the 4th position in Hong Kong.

What was the change in Joseph Lau's net worth compared to the previous year?

Joseph Lau's net worth increased by 655.44 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 13.58 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Joseph Lau's net worth?

Joseph Lau's net worth increased by 1.83 million dollars recently, a 0.01% increase, with his net worth standing at 14.24 billion dollars.

What are Joseph Lau's main sources of wealth?

Joseph Lau's main source of income comes from Real Estate.

In which industry does Joseph Lau primarily operate?

Joseph Lau is primarily involved in the Real Estate industry.

How old is Joseph Lau?

Joseph Lau is 74 years old.

How many children does Joseph Lau have?

Joseph Lau has 6 children.

What are some key milestones in Joseph Lau's business career?

Key milestones in Joseph Lau's career include taking over his family's business in 1974, renaming it to Evergo Industrial Enterprise in 1978, conducting an IPO in Hong Kong in 1982, changing business focus to investment-holding and property-management in 1985, and becoming the majority shareholder of Chinese Estates Holdings in 1986.

Can you tell me about Joseph Lau's art and wine collection?

Joseph Lau is an avid art collector, ranked among ARTnews's 'Top 200 Collectors,' with a collection valued at around $1 billion in 2017. He owns significant artworks and has a wine collection exceeding 10,000 bottles, achieving successful sales at Sotheby's in Hong Kong.

What is known about Joseph Lau's personal life and family?

Joseph Lau was married to Po Wing-kam from 1977 to 1992, with whom he has two children. He has five more children with two other women. Lau married Kimbee Chan in 2016 and transferred 75% of his shares in Chinese Estates to his wife and son in 2017.

What legal troubles has Joseph Lau Luen-hung faced?

Joseph Lau faced legal issues in a Macau bribery case, being convicted of bribery and money laundering in 2014. His subsequent appeals were rejected, and he remains a fugitive as there is no extradition treaty between Macau and Hong Kong.