Li Ka-shing: Asia’s Most Influential Tycoon
Li Ka-shing rose from exile to billionaire personifies the Hong Kong success tale. The “Superman” of Asian business established CK Hutchison Holdings into a global conglomerate with operations in ports, telecommunications, and retail. His investing expertise earned him Asia’s richest man for decades.
Li Ka-shing: Escape and Humble Beginnings
Li Ka-shing, born in 1928 in Chaozhou, China, fled to Hong Kong during World War II. His family lived in tight conditions while his father taught school. When his father died from TB, 15-year-old Li gave up his education to support his mother and siblings.
These early challenges shaped Li’s famous work ethic. He worked 16-hour days at a plastic flower factory and saved every penny. This period showed him that individuals who are willing to work harder than others are more likely to succeed.
Li Ka-shing: The Self-Made Student
Li Ka-shing formal schooling ended prematurely, but he became a tenacious self-learner. He learned English through newspaper translations and studied business manuals with a kerosene light after long shifts.
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Li launched a plastic manufacturing company when he was 22 years old with $6,500 in savings. His breakthrough occurred when he spotted Italian trade publications predicting a plastic flower boom—an early example of his renowned vision.
Building an Empire Brick by Brick
Li Ka-shing turned to real estate in 1958, buying houses during Hong Kong’s 1967 riots while others fled. This counterintuitive decision created the groundwork for Cheung Kong Holdings, which was named after China’s Yangtze River to represent endurance.
Redefining Asian Capitalism
With Hutchison Whampoa, Li built Cheung Kong into a diverse economic powerhouse. His 1979 acquisition of the British hong was the first Chinese takeover of a colonial trade business, representing a symbolic shift in Asia’s economic order.
By the age of 80, he had influence over ports that handled 13% of worldwide container traffic. His “buy when blood runs in the streets” strategy made riches during every crisis, from the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis to the 2008 global disaster.
The Family Behind the Fortune
Li Ka-shing married his cousin Chong Yuet-ming in 1963. After her death in 1990, he never married again. His two sons—Victor Li (b.1964), currently chairman, and Richard Li (b.1966), telecom magnate—inherited his commercial instincts but pursued their own paths.
The $38 Billion Blueprint
Forbes estimates Li’s net fortune at $38 billion, although his genuine influence far exceeds that sum. His enterprises account for over 15% of Hong Kong’s stock market valuation, demonstrating his economic impact.
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Unlike flamboyant millionaires, Li lived modestly, wearing $500 watches despite presiding over an empire spanning 52 nations. His riches comes from recognizing and holding undervalued assets for decades.
Passing the Torch
Since retiring in 2018, Li ka-shing has focused on philanthropy through his foundation. Recent developments have included biotech investments and the sale of UK businesses in order to shift focus to Southeast Asia. True to form, the 95-year-old continues to advise on significant transactions, demonstrating that for Li Ka-shing, retirement merely means a different game.
