Lee Shau-kee, the founder of Henderson Land Group, passed away this evening (March 17) at the age of 97.
Henderson Land released an official statement, saying: "With profound sorrow, we solemnly announce that the Founder of Henderson Land Group, Dr. Lee Shau Kee, GBM, passed away peacefully this evening on March 17, 2025, surrounded by family. He lived to the age of 97."
Dr. Lee was a towering figure in the business world. From 1995 to 1997, he topped the Forbes Billionaires List as the richest Chinese and Asian individual for three consecutive years. He earned the nicknames "Real Estate Tycoon," "Asian Stock God," and "Hong Kong Buffett."
In 2007, Dr. Lee was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal, the highest honor conferred by the HKSAR Government, in recognition of his lifelong contributions to education and society.
Throughout his life, Dr. Lee remained deeply committed to education and philanthropy. He was honored by numerous educational institutions, including honorary titles and degrees from prestigious universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, the University of Hong Kong, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Dr. Lee established the Pei Hua Education Foundation in 1982, dedicated to nurturing leadership talent in China for national rejuvenation efforts. The foundation's impact is far-reaching, with its alumni occupying key leadership positions. Over the years, Dr. Lee also funded large-scale training programs, earning recognition from the national government and various municipal governments, including honorary citizenships in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Foshan. He was also appointed as an advisor to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and served as a trustee of the Better Hong Kong Foundation.
Through the "Lee Shau Kee Foundation," Dr. Lee donated billions of HK dollars over decades to alleviate poverty, support education, and improve teaching facilities. His contributions benefited universities and schools at home and abroad, creating scholarships and improving educational resources with a long-lasting ripple effect.
Born in February 1928 in Shunde, Guangdong Province, Dr. Lee displayed exceptional intelligence from a young age. He moved to HK as a teenager, where he built his empire from scratch, founding Henderson Land Group. Known for his generosity and fairness, Dr. Lee devoted himself to philanthropy and was highly respected across all sectors of society.
Dr. Lee's exemplary leadership, generosity, and wisdom will be remembered forever by colleagues, employees, and the wider community.
Related News:
Again, and again: Li Ka-shing tops Forbes HK's 50 Richest List with US$37.3 bn
5 HK families make Bloomberg's top 20 richest Asian Families list, Kwok family ranks highest
Comment