Cecil Chao
Cecil Chao Sze-Tsung | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 27, 1936 Wuxi |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Chairman of Cheuk Nang (Holdings) Ltd; notable for offering a large sum to marry his lesbian daughter Gigi Chao |
Cecil Chao Sze-Tsung (; born September 27, 1936) is a billionaire from Hong Kong and serves as the chairman of Cheuk Nang (Holdings) Ltd, a company specializing in property development and investments primarily within the residential and commercial real estate sectors of Hong Kong.
The Chao family is recognized as a prominent shipping enterprise established by Chao Tsong-yea. Cecil is the sole surviving son of this Wuxi-born magnate and his spouse, Chao Nyi Ya-tsung. His older siblings, Frank and George, died in 2001 and 2016, respectively.
Cecil has fathered three children with three separate women: Wai Yiu, who is the mother of Gigi Chao; Ying Ying, mother to Howard; and Terri Holladay, who gave birth to Roman.
In 2012, Cecil Chao gained worldwide media coverage after offering $65 million to any man willing to marry his lesbian daughter, Gigi Chao. Facing public backlash, he raised the offer to $180 million in 2014 before ultimately withdrawing it. Gigi replied publicly with an open letter in the South China Morning Post, affirming her sexual orientation.