Lim Kok Thay

$1.63 B

Ranked #2414 in World

About Lim Kok Thay

Malaysian billionaire Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, the dynamic chairman of Genting Group, has made a resounding impact on the global leisure and entertainment industry. Graduating from the University of London with a civil engineering degree and an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Lim took the reins at Genting in 1976 and propelled the conglomerate, recognized for acclaimed brands like Resorts World and Maxims, into international markets. Lim's strategic partnerships and development of landmark resorts underscore his $2.4 billion net worth, positioning him as a prominent figure in the tourism sector. Despite the pandemic-induced setbacks, including Genting Hong Kong's bankruptcy, Lim's legacy in transforming resort experiences remains influential.

Born

August 16, 1951

Age

74 years

Source Of Wealth

Casinos

Industries

Gambling & Casinos

Citizenship

Malaysia

Residence

Kuala Lumpur

Education

Harvard Business School; Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of London

Spouse

Cecilia Lim

Children

Parent

Lim Goh Tong, Lee Kim Hua

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, a prominent Malaysian Chinese billionaire businessman, was born into a humble background. His early years and childhood were marked by hard work and determination, shaping the foundation of his future success.

Lim Kok Thay: Family

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay is married to Puan Sri Cecilia Lim, and together they have three children. Despite his busy business ventures, he prioritizes family and maintains a close bond with his loved ones.

Lim Kok Thay: Career Highlights

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay's career is marked by a series of remarkable achievements. He serves as the Chairman of Genting Group, a renowned conglomerate encompassing casinos, resorts, and palm oil operations. Additionally, he co-founded Genting Hong Kong Limited, formerly known as Star Cruises Limited, solidifying his position as a key player in the leisure and tourism industry.

Lim Kok Thay: Companies

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay's business ventures span across various companies. He holds significant positions within Genting Group, Genting Hong Kong Limited, and Empire Resorts Inc., demonstrating his diverse leadership capabilities.

Lim Kok Thay: Major Achievements

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay's major achievements include the global expansion of Genting's presence, particularly in the leisure tourism and entertainment sector. He played a pivotal role in developing renowned leisure brands such as "Resorts World", "Maxims", "Crockfords", and "Awana", establishing a strong brand identity for Genting.

Furthermore, he forged strategic partnerships with renowned entities like Universal Studios, Hard Rock Hotel, Premium Outlets, Synthetic Genomics, and others, solidifying Genting's position as a prominent player in the industry.

One of his notable accomplishments was assisting the Mashantucket Pequots in establishing Foxwoods Resorts Casino in Connecticut, which holds the distinction of being the largest casino in the United States.

Under his guidance, Resorts World Genting achieved remarkable success, earning the prestigious titles of "World's Leading Casino Resort" and "Asia's Leading Casino Resort" on multiple occasions.

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay also spearheaded Genting's expansion into the United Kingdom, establishing Genting UK Plc as the largest casino operator in the country.

His leadership was instrumental in securing the bid to build and operate Singapore's first integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa, further solidifying Genting's global presence.

Through his vision and strategic planning, integrated resort properties were developed in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, attracting millions of visitors and contributing significantly to the tourism industry.

Additionally, he ventured into leisure projects in the United States, including Resorts World New York City, Resorts World Las Vegas, Resorts World Miami, and Resorts World Bimini, expanding Genting's reach across the globe.

Lim Kok Thay: Awards & Achievements

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay's contributions to the leisure and tourism industry have been widely recognized.

He received the prestigious "Travel Entrepreneur of the Year" award from Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Asia, and Inside Asian Gaming honored him as "The Most Influential Person in Asian Gaming."

His achievements were further acknowledged through various honors bestowed upon him, including the Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri, Knight Companion of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (DIMP) – Dato', and Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri.

Lim Kok Thay: Personal Life & Legacy

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay's personal life is marked by his dedication to philanthropy and education. He serves as a visiting professor at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering of Imperial College, London, and holds an honorary professorship at Xiamen University in China, demonstrating his commitment to fostering knowledge and innovation.

Despite his immense wealth and success, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay maintains a humble and down-to-earth demeanor, earning the respect and admiration of his peers and colleagues.

Lim Kok Thay: Trivia

In 2015, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay made headlines when he acquired Crystal Cruises from Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha for a substantial $550 million.

He faced legal challenges from his nephews and sister regarding a family trust and beneficial interest in Genting stock, highlighting the complexities of managing a vast business empire.

In 2018, he expanded his portfolio by opening Resorts World Catskills through his holding company Empire Resorts Inc., further diversifying his leisure and tourism ventures.

Unfortunately, Genting Hong Kong (formerly Star Cruises) declared bankruptcy in January 2022 due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cruise industry.

As of February 2021, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay's net worth was estimated at an impressive US$ 2.4 Billion, securing his position as the 1063rd richest person in the world, a testament to his remarkable business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit.

Wealth History

Timeline

1976

Appointed director of Genting Group.

1979

Attended the six-week advanced management program of Harvard Business School.

1980s

Expanded Genting's presence globally, especially in the leisure tourism and entertainment industry.

1990s

Developed leisure brands such as "Resorts World", "Maxims", "Crockfords", and "Awana".

2000s

Established partnerships with Universal Studios, Hard Rock Hotel, Premium Outlets, Synthetic Genomics, and others.

2006

Assisted the Mashantucket Pequots in establishing Foxwoods Resorts Casino in Connecticut, the largest casino in the US.

2008

Guided the expansion of Resorts World Genting, voted "World's Leading Casino Resort" and "Asia's Leading Casino Resort" multiple times.

2013

Expanded Genting's presence to the UK with Genting UK Plc, the largest casino operator in the UK.

2015

Led the successful bid to build and operate Singapore's first integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa.

2015

Acquired Crystal Cruises from Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha for $550 million.

2018

Opened Resorts World Catskills through his holding company Empire Resorts Inc.

2022

Genting Hong Kong (Star Cruises) declared bankruptcy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lim Kok Thay : FAQs

What is Lim Kok Thay's current net worth?

Lim Kok Thay's current net worth is $1.63 billion.

What is Lim Kok Thay's current global rank among billionaires?

Lim Kok Thay holds the 2414th position globally among billionaires.

What is Lim Kok Thay's current ranking within the Malaysia?

Lim Kok Thay holds the 15th position in Malaysia.

What was the change in Lim Kok Thay's net worth compared to the previous year?

Lim Kok Thay's net worth decreased by 276.98 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 1.91 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Lim Kok Thay's net worth?

Lim Kok Thay's net worth decreased by 4.71 million dollars recently, a 0.29% decrease, with his net worth standing at 1.63 billion dollars.

What are Lim Kok Thay's main sources of wealth?

Lim Kok Thay's main source of income comes from Casinos.

In which industry does Lim Kok Thay primarily operate?

Lim Kok Thay is primarily involved in the Gambling & Casinos industry.

What is Lim Kok Thay educational background?

Lim Kok Thay holds a Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts/Science from the University of London.

How old is Lim Kok Thay?

Lim Kok Thay is 74 years old.

How many children does Lim Kok Thay have?

Lim Kok Thay has 3 children.

What is Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay known for in the business world?

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay is a Malaysian Chinese billionaire businessman renowned as the chairman of Genting Group, a global conglomerate with interests in casinos, resorts, and palm oil. He has spearheaded the firm's global expansion, particularly in the leisure tourism and entertainment industry.

What are some of the significant brands and partnerships developed under Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay's leadership at Genting?

Under the leadership of Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Genting has developed and operated well-known leisure brands such as 'Resorts World', 'Maxims', 'Crockfords', and 'Awana'. Notable partnerships include Universal Studios, Hard Rock Hotel, and Premium Outlets, enhancing its global hospitality and entertainment footprint.

How did Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay contribute to the casino and resort industry globally?

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay has played a pivotal role in expanding Genting's reach by guiding the development of Resorts World Genting, establishing Genting UK Plc as the UK's largest casino operator, opening Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, and launching prominent leisure projects in the US and Bimini.

What was Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay's role in Genting Hong Kong and what challenges did the company face recently?

As Co-founder of Genting Hong Kong Limited, previously Star Cruises Limited, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay was influential in the cruise line industry. However, Genting Hong Kong declared bankruptcy in January 2022 due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global cruise operations.

What academic achievements and recognitions has Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay received throughout his career?

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay is academically accomplished with a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of London and an advanced management program certificate from Harvard Business School. He holds visiting and honorary professorships at reputable institutions, and is acknowledged with prestigious honors and titles in Malaysia.