Stanley Ho & family

$2.00 B

Ranked #488 in World

About Stanley Ho & family

Stanley Ho Hung-sun, the iconic Hong Kong-Macau billionaire and a pivotal figure in the gambling industry, passed away on 26 May 2020. As the founder and chairman of SJM Holdings, he owned 19 casinos including the renowned Grand Lisboa, earning him the titles "Godfather" and "King of Gambling" during his 40-year monopoly in Macau. His diverse business empire, Shun Tak Holdings, spanned entertainment to air transport, significantly impacting Macau's economy and workforce. Ho's legacy extends through his vast investments across Asia and his philanthropic contributions, leaving a profound mark on the commercial and cultural landscapes of Hong Kong and Macau.

Born

November 25, 1921 in British Hong Kong

Died

May 26, 2020 (aged 98)

Source Of Wealth

Casinos & Gaming

Citizenship

Hong Kong

Residence

Hong Kong

Education

Drop Out, University of Hong Kong

Spouse

Clementina Leit�o Ho (Married: 1942; died 2004), Lucina Laam King-ying (Married: 1957), Ina Chan (Married: 1977), Leong On-kei (Married: 1988)

Children

Stanley Ho Hung-sun","a figure of Chinese","Dutch-Jewish","and English ancestry","was born into a prestigious family with deep roots in Hong Kong","s social and economic spheres. His lineage traced back to his great-grandfather Charles Henry Maurice Bosman, of Dutch Jewish descent, and his Chinese mistress Sze Tai. Ho was the ninth child among thirteen siblings in the family of Ho Sai-kwong. His grandfather, Ho Fook, was the brother of the notable merchant Sir Robert Ho Tung, further cementing the family\"s prominent status in Hong Kong.

Stanley Ho & family: Family

Stanley Ho\"s personal life was as complex and fascinating as his business empire. He had 17 children with four women he referred to as his wives. His first wife, Clementina Ângela Leitão, whom he married in 1942, bore him four children. His family tree expanded with his second wife Lucina Azul Jean Ying née Laam King-ying, with whom he had five children; his third wife Ina Chan, mother to three of his children; and his fourth wife Angela Leong On-kei, with whom he also had four children.

Stanley Ho & family: Career Highlights

Stanley Ho\"s career was marked by audacious ventures and strategic brilliance. Starting with clerical work at a Japanese-owned firm in Macau during World War II, Ho made his initial fortune smuggling luxury goods across the Chinese border. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a kerosene company and a construction business. The turning point came in 1961 when he won the bid for Macau gambling franchises, establishing Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau (STDM) and opening Macau\"s first luxury casino resort, the Estoril Hotel, in 1962. His flagship Lisboa Casino Hotel followed in 1970, setting new standards in the industry.

Stanley Ho & family: Companies

Stanley Ho\"s business interests were vast and varied. He was the founder and chairman of SJM Holdings, controlling 19 casinos in Macau including the iconic Grand Lisboa.

Beyond gambling, he founded Shun Tak Holdings, a conglomerate with interests in entertainment, tourism, shipping, real estate, banking, and air transport. His investments spanned globally across mainland China, Portugal, North Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Mozambique, Indonesia, and East Timor.

Stanley Ho & family: Major Achievements

Among Stanley Ho\"s major achievements was his 40-year monopoly over the Macau gambling industry which earned him nicknames like \"Godfather\" and \"King of Gambling\". His innovative approach to casino management and pioneering of the junket contractual system transformed Macau into a global gambling hub. Additionally, his businesses were estimated to employ nearly one-fourth of Macau\"s workforce.

Stanley Ho & family: Awards & Achievements

Stanley Ho\"s contributions to business and society were recognized through numerous awards and honors. These included an honorary doctorate from the University of Macau (1984), an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) (1990), the Grã-Cruz da Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique from Portugal (1995), and the highest accolades from Macau such as the Golden Lotus Medal of Honour (2001) and Grand Lotus Medal of Honour (2007). Streets were named after him in Macau and Cascais, Portugal as a testament to his impact.

Stanley Ho & family: Personal Life & Legacy

Stanley Ho\"s personal interests reflected his dynamic personality; he was an accomplished dancer known for his excellence in tango, cha-cha-cha, and waltz. A patron of arts, he supported dance performances and institutions like the Hong Kong Ballet. His passion for thoroughbred racehorses also saw success with Viva Pataca among others. Despite health challenges later in life including a stroke in 2009 that led to limited public appearances and eventual confinement to a wheelchair, Ho remained a towering figure until his passing on 26 May 2020.

Stanley Ho & family: Trivia

Beyond his business acumen and personal achievements, Stanley Ho\"s life was filled with intriguing aspects such as his philanthropic efforts which included donating valuable Qing dynasty artifacts to China\"s Poly Art Museum.

His involvement in litigation over casino ownership with sister Winnie Ho highlighted familial disputes within his vast empire. Despite controversies including alleged links to organized crime which were cited by foreign governments, Stanley Ho\"s legacy as a visionary entrepreneur remains undisputed.

Wealth History

Timeline

1921

Stanley Ho Hung-sun is born in Hong Kong, with Chinese, Dutch-Jewish, and English ancestry.

1942

Ho marries his first wife, Clementina Ângela Leitão, and has four children with her.

1961

Ho wins the bid for Macau gambling franchises, defeating the Fu family, and establishes Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, S.A.R.L. (STDM).

1962

Ho opens Estoril Hotel, Macau's first luxury casino resort.

1970

Ho opens his flagship Lisboa Casino Hotel.

1980s

Ho pioneers subcontracting private gambling rooms to independent agents, a practice that evolves into the VIP contractual system known as the junket trade.

1990

Ho is awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) for services to the community in Hong Kong.

1995

Ho receives the Grã-Cruz da Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique (Great Cross of the Order of Prince Henrique) from Portugal.

1998

Dr. Stanley Ho Avenue is named in Macau in his honor.

1999

Ho serves as a member of the joint advisory committee for Macau's return to China.

2001

Ho is awarded the Golden Lotus Medal of Honour from Macau.

2003

Ho receives the Gold Bauhinia Star from Hong Kong.

2007

Ho is awarded the Grand Lotus Medal of Honour from Macau.

2008

Ho receives the Medal for Business Entrepreneurialism from Cascais, Portugal, and Avenida Stanley Ho is named in his honor in Cascais.

2009

Ho suffers a stroke and undergoes brain surgery, leading to several months of hospitalization and limited public appearances.

2010

Ho is discharged from the hospital and begins using a wheelchair.

2011

A dispute arises among Ho's wives and children over the transfer of ownership of the private holding company Lanceford, resulting in legal proceedings.

2018

Ho announces his retirement as chairman of SJM Holdings Limited.

25 May 2020

Ho is reported to be in critical condition.

26 May 2020

Stanley Ho Hung-sun passes away at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital at the age of 98.

Stanley Ho & family : FAQs

What is Stanley Ho's net worth?

As of 2010, Stanley Ho's net worth was $2.00 billion.

What are Stanley Ho's main sources of wealth?

Stanley Ho's main source of income comes from Casinos & Gaming.

What is Stanley Ho educational background?

Stanley Ho is a dropout from the University of Hong Kong.

Is Stanley Ho dead?

Yes, Stanley Ho died on May 26, 2020 (aged 98).

How many children does Stanley Ho have?

Stanley Ho has 17 children.

Who was Stanley Ho Hung-sun and why was he famous?

Stanley Ho Hung-sun was a Hong Kong-Macau billionaire businessman, known as the 'Godfather' and 'King of Gambling' for his 40-year monopoly on the Macau gambling industry. He was the founder and chairman of SJM Holdings, which owns 19 casinos in Macau, including the Grand Lisboa.

How did Stanley Ho contribute to Macau's economy and workforce?

Stanley Ho played a significant role in Macau's economy by founding SJM Holdings, which owns a large number of casinos in Macau. It's estimated that his businesses employ almost one-fourth of Macau's workforce, significantly contributing to the local economy and employment.

What were Stanley Ho's major business ventures outside the gambling industry?

Outside the gambling industry, Stanley Ho was the founder and chairman of Shun Tak Holdings, with diversified interests in entertainment, tourism, shipping, real estate, banking, and air transport. He also invested in various countries including mainland China, Portugal, North Korea, Vietnam, and others.

Can you detail Stanley Ho's family and how his wealth was divided among them?

Stanley Ho had 17 children with four women referred to as his wives. His wealth was notably divided among key family members including his daughter Pansy Ho ($5.3 billion), fourth wife Angela Leong ($4.1 billion), and son Lawrence Ho ($2.6 billion).

What were some of Stanley Ho's contributions to society and honors received during his lifetime?

Stanley Ho made significant philanthropic contributions, including donating Qing dynasty artifacts to China's Poly Art Museum. He received numerous honors such as the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) in 1990, the Gold Bauhinia Star from Hong Kong in 2003, and the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2010 for his services to the community.