Pansy Ho

Pansy Ho Chiu-king, also known as Ho Pingsze, is a businesswoman and political figure from Macau. She is the eldest daughter of Stanley Ho, the "King of Gambling" in Macau, and his second wife Lucina Laam. She was named the richest woman in 2013 and has been referred to as the "Queen of Gambling" and "Talented Lady of the Pearl River".

In October 2020, she was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in Hong Kong.

Biography

Pansy Ho studied marketing and international business management at Santa Clara University in the United States. She is currently the managing director and executive director of Shun Tak Holdings, responsible for the group's strategic development and corporate management. She is also a director of Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, MGM Macau, and the chairperson and executive director of MGM China. Additionally, she is the chairperson of Companhia de Electricidade de Macau. In 2006, she was ranked 49th in Fortune magazine's list of the 50 most powerful women in business.

Around 1981, she became close friends with Danny Chan through her sister Daisy Ho. The two shared common interests and often attended social events together. In 1989, she appeared as a guest in Danny Chan’s musical special "Danny Chan's Love Documentary" and featured in the MV for "Deeply Loving You." She was also friends with Anita Mui, Michelle Yeoh, Leslie Cheung, and Cherie Chung. Her sister Josie Ho is also an actress and won Best Supporting Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Although there were rumors of a romantic relationship with Danny Chan, she clarified several times that they shared a sibling-like bond.

Pansy Ho married Julian Hui, a member of the wealthy Hui family, on January 8, 1991. The wedding lasted for several days and was widely covered by the Hong Kong media. When Danny Chan passed away in 1993, she broke down in tears at his funeral and insisted on serving as a pallbearer despite objections.

On August 30, 2000, she announced her divorce from Julian Hui. She was later rumored to be in a relationship with Adam Yeung, son of Albert Yeung. In 2006, she claimed she had not yet officially signed divorce papers with Hui.

She has held various public positions, including serving as a director of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in 2003 and a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in 2008.

Her cousin, Chelsia Ng (daughter of Stanley Ho’s first wife Clementina’s niece), is a former children’s TV host and current variety show presenter.

Major Positions

• Chairperson and Executive Director of Shun Tak Holdings Limited (current)
• Chairperson and Executive Director of Shun Tak–China Travel Ship Management Limited (current)

Public Service

• Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Standing Committee Member. Before this, she served as a member of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC for 15 years.
• Vice Chairperson of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Executive Committee Member of the All-China Women's Federation, Vice President of the World Tourism Alliance, Executive President of the All-China Tourism Industry Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chairperson of the China Cultural Relics Protection Foundation, and Member of the Expert Committee for World-Class Tourist Attractions and Resorts under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
• In Macau, she was appointed as a member of the Cultural Development Fund Trustee Committee in January 2022. She is also Chair of the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre and Vice Chairperson and Secretary-General of the Global Tourism Economy Forum, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, and Vice President of the Macao Convention and Exhibition Association.

Controversies

During the 2019 Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement in Hong Kong, on September 10, Pansy Ho and Annie Wu, daughter of Maxim’s founder James Wu, represented the Hong Kong Federation of Women at the 42nd United Nations Human Rights Council regular session. They gave a speech titled "The Truth About Hong Kong," stating that violent protesters had disrupted peaceful lives and damaged Hong Kong’s economy and global image.

Their statements drew criticism from Denise Ho, who had also spoken at the same UN session. Denise called them "two elites" spreading "false information" on behalf of the "Chinese Communist machine."

Honors

Chinese Medals and Awards

• Medal of Merit in Tourism (Macau SAR, announced on September 30, 2019)
• Silver Bauhinia Star (2020)
• National March 8 Red-Banner Holder (2020)
• Justice of the Peace (Non-official), Hong Kong

Foreign Orders and Awards

• File:Ordre national du Merite Chevalier ribbon.svg Knight of the National Order of Merit (France), awarded on April 14, 2009

See Also

• Hotung family
• Shun Tak Holdings