Ho Ying Kit
[1] was born in Pudong, Shanghai, and was commonly known as "Ho Pak." He was the founder and former chairman of Hong Kong Tobacco Company Limited[2]. He established charitable foundations during his lifetime and was active in philanthropic affairs.
Biography
- In 1925, Ho Ying-chie became an apprentice at the family's printing factory.
- In 1929, he married Chiang Su-chun (1905 or 1906–1980); the couple had one son and four daughters, including Ho Kwan-kan and Ho Kam-chun.
- In 1931, he founded the New Asia Printing Factory in Shanghai, which continued operating during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Rising paper prices allowed him to earn his first fortune.
- In 1942, he believed the tobacco industry had potential and founded a cigarette factory in Shanghai, launching the "Kolle" cigarette brand.
- In 1950, he established Hong Kong Tobacco Company Limited, distributing popular cigarette brands such as Marlboro. The business expanded with Hong Kong's economic boom. Later, Ho became involved in financial investment.
- In 1983, he founded the Leung Yau Charitable Foundation and became actively involved in charitable causes.
- In the 1990s, Ho began handing over his businesses to his eldest grandson Ho Chiu-kwok and began living a reclusive life.
- In 1991, during the East China floods, he donated HK$100 million to disaster victims.
- In 1994, he established Ho Ying-chie Foundation Limited and donated hundreds of millions of dollars, primarily to help the general public in Hong Kong and people in Mainland China. Ho donated large amounts of money but never sought recognition or held positions like chairman in any charitable organization. He made regular donations to Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
- In 1996, Hong Kong Tobacco sold the distribution rights of Marlboro and other brands, as well as the production and sales rights of Leung Yau in Hong Kong, to Philip Morris USA.
- In 1997, under the name Gainluck Company, he acquired 5–6% equity in Hongkong Land Holdings.
- After retirement, he lived in seclusion in the penthouse of the Hong Kong Tobacco Company headquarters in North Point until his death in 2000[3].
- In 2001, his eldest daughter Ho Kam-chun reportedly committed suicide by jumping from a building due to illness[4][5]. His second grandson Ho Ting Kwok immigrated to Canada in 1985 and began investing in golf courses, luxury car dealerships, beverage and food businesses. In 2002, he started running Dragonair Cargo[6].
See also
- Ho Ying-chie family
References
- ↑ 2000-1-22 Wen Wei Po – Biography of Ho Pak; 2009-09-30 Ming Pao – Ho Ting Kwok family tree
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- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%95%E8%8B%B1%E5%82%91#cite_ref-3
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%95%E8%8B%B1%E5%82%91#cite_ref-4
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%95%E8%8B%B1%E5%82%91#cite_ref-5
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%95%E8%8B%B1%E5%82%91#cite_ref-6