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What is Lui Che Woo’s Net Worth?
Lui Che Woo, a prominent Hong Kong business magnate, investor, and philanthropist, has an estimated net worth of $12.1 billion. Lui Che Woo’s wealth primarily stems from his leadership and ownership stakes in several major companies. He is the founder and chairman of the K. Wah Group, a multinational conglomerate with interests in properties, entertainment and leisure, hospitality, and construction materials.
The group includes two publicly listed flagships: K. Wah International Holdings Limited and Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited. Lui holds a substantial ownership stake in these entities, with 37% in Galaxy Entertainment and 53% in K. Wah International.
Galaxy Entertainment Group, one of the six gaming concessionaires in Macau, has been a significant contributor to Lui’s wealth. The company operates several high-profile casinos and hotels in Macau, including the Galaxy Macau resort, which opened in 2011.
Here’s the breakdown of Lui Che Woo’s net worth:
Name: | Lui Che Woo |
Net Worth: | $12.1 Billion |
Date of Birth: | August 9, 1929 |
Profession: | Businessperson |
If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.
Early Life
Lui Che Woo was born on August 9, 1929, in Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, China. His early years were marked by significant upheaval and hardship.
At the age of five, Lui and his family moved to Hong Kong to escape the turmoil in China. The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II further disrupted his childhood, forcing him to drop out of school and take on various jobs to support his family.
At the tender age of 13, Lui began selling food on the streets of Hong Kong, an experience that instilled in him a strong sense of resilience and determination.
Despite these challenges, Lui’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. He started his first business as a food manufacturer and distributor in Yau Ma Tei. After the war, he gained experience in the auto parts business, working with his uncle before establishing his own brand.
Career
In 1955, Lui Che Woo founded the K. Wah Group in Hong Kong, initially focusing on the construction materials industry. His company quickly became a leader in the sector, earning Lui the nickname “King of the Quarry.” The 1960s saw Lui expanding into property investments, and by the 1980s, he had ventured into hotel development, further diversifying his business interests.
In the early 1990s, Lui expanded his operations into Mainland China, capitalizing on the country’s economic reforms. His most significant venture came in 2002 when he entered Macau’s gaming industry by establishing Galaxy Entertainment Group.
Under his leadership, Galaxy Entertainment became one of the six licensed gaming operators in Macau, operating several high-profile casinos and hotels, including the renowned Galaxy Macau resort.
Throughout his career, Lui has demonstrated a keen ability to adapt and innovate. His business empire, K. Wah Group, has grown into a multinational conglomerate with interests in properties, entertainment and leisure, hospitality, and construction materials.
The group employs over 33,000 people worldwide and continues to make significant contributions to various industries.
LUI Che Woo Prize – Prize for World Civilisation
The LUI Che Woo Prize – Prize for World Civilisation, established by Lui Che Woo in 2015, is a prestigious international award that recognizes individuals and organizations for their exceptional contributions to world civilization.
The prize is unique in its cross-sector approach, honoring achievements in three distinct categories: the Sustainability Prize, the Welfare Betterment Prize, and the Positive Energy Prize. Each laureate receives a cash award of HK$20 million (approximately US$2.56 million), along with a certificate and a trophy.
The Sustainability Prize acknowledges efforts in sustainable development, aiming to maintain ecological balance and meet the needs of future generations. The Welfare Betterment Prize celebrates contributions to the well-being of humanity, while the Positive Energy Prize honors those who promote positive life attitudes and resilience in the face of adversity.
Notable laureates include Yuan Longping for his work on hybrid rice, Médecins Sans Frontières for controlling infectious diseases, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter for his humanitarian efforts.
Public Services
From 1981 to 1982, Lui Che Woo served as the Chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in Hong Kong, one of the oldest and largest charitable organizations in the region. In 1983, he founded the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners and has served as its Chairman since then, advising the government on the development of Hong Kong’s hotel and tourism industry.
Lui has also played a significant role in the education sector. He has been a trustee and advisor to numerous higher education institutions, including Peking University, Fudan University, and The University of Hong Kong. His contributions have supported the development and application of advanced technology and education in Hong Kong and Mainland China.
In addition, Lui was elected as a member of the 9th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and served on the Selection Committee for the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Charity
Lui Che Woo’s philanthropic efforts are extensive and impactful, focusing on education, medical care, and social welfare. He has made significant donations to support the construction and renovation of schools in Mainland China, subsidized underprivileged students, and contributed to the development of university facilities across Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China. Notable projects include the Life Science Research Building at Peking University, the Biomedical Sciences Building at Tsinghua University, and the Lui Che Woo Law Library at The University of Hong Kong.
In addition to educational initiatives, Lui has established scholarships at prestigious overseas universities to support outstanding Chinese students. He also founded the Galaxy Entertainment Group Charitable Foundation with HK$1.3 billion to help young people develop positive values and a sense of patriotism.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation and the KWIH Anti-Epidemic Fund jointly supported prevention and mitigation efforts in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Personal Life
Lui is married to Chiu Kam Ping, and together they have five children: Francis Lui Yiu Tung, Lawrence Lui Yiu Nam, Alexander Lui Yiu Wah, Paddy Lui Wai Yu, and Eileen Lui Wai Ling.
His children are actively involved in the family business, holding key positions in the K. Wah Group and Galaxy Entertainment Group. For instance, his eldest son, Francis, runs the casino business, while his younger son, Lawrence, oversees the hospitality segment. Alexander manages the construction companies, and his daughters, Paddy and Eileen, hold executive roles in the family enterprises.
Despite his immense wealth and business responsibilities, Lui Che Woo maintains a relatively low profile. He enjoys spending his leisure time playing golf, a sport he is passionate about. Even in his nineties, Lui remains actively involved in key decision-making processes within his companies, although he has delegated most day-to-day operations to his children.
Ashley Roberts is the founder of Real-Time Billionaires List. She founded this platform because she likes to know how much celebrities are actually making. She is always curious why these people can make much more money than the ordinary person.
With a Bachelor’s degree in finance, she is skilled at financial analysis and understands numbers related to wealth. Most of the articles on this site are edited by herself before publishing.
