“Always be industrious and the virtuous bear onerous duties.” This sums up the life philosophy of Hong Kong’s richest man, Li Ka-shing, Senior Advisor and Founder of Cheung Kong. Guided by a strong work ethic and steadfast business integrity, he built an extraordinary business empire in his seven decades as a businessman. His wealth topped US$31.7 billion, according to Forbes, which makes him the world’s 28th richest billionaire this year.
A slight man, the 91-year-old looks more like an amiable schoolmaster than an influential business tsar. A widower, his two sons now run various parts of his empire. He is always seen in a dark business suit with a conservative tie and white shirt. His empire spans 50 countries, his businesses touching the lives of millions of people. In Hong Kong, there is not a resident whose daily life did not involve an encounter with part of his empire. He generated electricity, sold groceries and beauty products, developed skyscrapers and connected people by mobile phone. Then there were his interests in ports and infrastructure.
His rags-to-riches story began when his family fled his family home in war-torn Guangdong province in Southern China. They settled in Hong Kong in 1940 to seek a better life. Two years later, Li’s father died from tuberculosis. As the eldest son, he worked to support his mother and siblings. He was in his mid-teens then.
Former journalist and academic Anthony B Chan, who wrote the only English biography of Li in 1996, described his industriousness. Working 16-hour days, including Sundays, he sold plastic belts and watchbands to retailers. He saved every penny. He forewent movies and skimped on haircuts, visiting the barber once every three months for crew cuts.
Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av The CEO Magazine Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av The CEO Magazine Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Lito German Is Driving Change And Accelerating Growth For Sandbox
After years in the automotive industry, CEO Lito German is now driving change and accelerating growth for importer and distributor Sandbox Middle East.
They're Pioneers In Enshrining Green Values Into Everything They Do
CEO Chamaiporn Uerpairojkit explains how thai plastics giant tpbi was committed to sustainability long before the government made an industry-changing announcement last year.
Maverick Unicorn
Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek is a textbook example of the startup gurus propelling their companies to billion-dollar valuations.
''Increase The Velocity''
Adapting Camfil’s business model to work at a faster pace was critical for the business to thrive in today’s China, according to managing director Michel Moulin.
Device Manager
Covid-19 tore the world’s tech supply chains asunder, the effects of which are still being felt today. But through steady management and quality of work, malaysian component manufacturer analog devices has managed to thrive during the storm.
Going Antiviral
Chiaphua Industries chief marketing officer and co-founder of Germagic Hamilton Hung has transformed the appliance manufacturer into an antiviral research and development powerhouse. And he has done so with patience and vision.
Risk Vs Return
Add pandemic fallout to a low interest-rate environment and you have a challenge for highnet-worth investors. Where might opportunities lie?
Expect The Unexpected
For lockton philippines insurance & reinsurance brokers ceo vic valledor, providing affordable premiums for the poorest families is vital, especially considering the recent challenges of the covid-19 pandemic.
The Ultimate Investments
With the global economic recovery from the pandemic underway, many analysts are suggesting now is the time to invest – but will whisky, soybeans or bitcoin find a way into your portfolio?
The Future Of Fintech
Covid-19 has accelerated the world’s shift to a digital economy, and airwallex co-founder and president Lucy Liu wants to make sure there are more female fintech leaders with her at the top.
