Lee Shau-kee
Lee Shau-kee | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Hong Kong |
| Died | March 17, 2025 (aged 97) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist |
| Known for | Majority shareholder of Henderson Land Development |
| Notable work | Philanthropic donations to HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
Lee Shau-kee (; born 20 February 1928 – died 17 March 2025) was a prominent Hong Kong entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. He held the position of majority shareholder in Henderson Land Development, a diversified property group with operations in real estate, hospitality, dining, and internet services throughout Hong Kong and internationally. In 2019, at the age of 91, Lee relinquished his roles as chairman and managing director, entrusting leadership responsibilities to his sons Peter and Martin Lee, while continuing to serve as an executive director.
At the time of his passing, his net worth was valued by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index at US$23.2 billion, making him the second wealthiest individual in Hong Kong after Li Ka-shing and placing him 89th worldwide. Before the 1997 handover of Hong Kong, he ranked as the fourth richest person globally.
Philanthropy
Lee was a key benefactor of the HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity, contributing upwards of HK$20 million through the Lee Shau Kee Foundation.
In 2007, he made significant donations amounting to HK$500 million for the University of Hong Kong and HK$400 million for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
In 2015, Lee gifted land in Yuen Long to Po Leung Kuk to establish Hong Kong’s largest youth hostel, providing rental units at half the market price for young individuals between 18 and 30 years old.
Apart from public donations, Lee also rewarded Henderson Land employees with cash gifts totaling HK$60 million over nine years in celebration of the births of his four grandchildren.
In May 2018, he pledged HK$100 million to Hang Seng Management College to aid its strategic growth initiatives.
Positions
- Founder and former Chairman and Managing Director of Henderson Land Development
- Former Chairman of Hong Kong and China Gas Company
- Former Chairman of Miramar Hotel and Investment
- Vice-Chairman and independent non-executive director at Sun Hung Kai Properties
- Board member for Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry as well as the Bank of East Asia
- Member of Peter Storrie’s group involved in acquiring Portsmouth F.C.
Personal life and death
Lee was father to five children, including his elder son Peter Lee Ka-kit and younger son Martin Lee Ka-shing, along with eight grandchildren.
He died on the evening of 17 March 2025 at age 97.
See also
External links
- Henderson Land Development
- Hong Kong and China Gas (controlled by Henderson Land Development)
- Faculty of Law, Chinese University of Hong Kong housed in Lee Shau Kee building in Shatin.
- http://www.leeshaukee.com.hk/tch/main/index.aspx