Stanley Ho

Stanley Ho, born on November 25, 1921, was a prominent figure in the realms of politics and entrepreneurship, renowned as a billionaire businessman in Hong Kong and Macau. He founded and chaired SJM Holdings, which boasts ownership of nineteen casinos in Macau, including the iconic Grand Lisboa. His influence in the gambling industry earned him the nicknames 'Godfather' and 'King of Gambling,' reflecting the monopoly he held for four decades.

Ho's wealth was substantial, with his daughter Pansy Ho managing MGM Macau, his fourth wife Angela Leong serving as managing director of SJM Holdings, and his son Lawrence Ho owning City of Dreams. Together, they inherited a fortune that exemplified Ho's extensive business empire.

In addition to his ventures in the gambling sector, Ho founded Shun Tak Holdings, which encompassed a diverse range of businesses, including entertainment, tourism, shipping, real estate, banking, and air transport. His enterprises were significant employers in Macau, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the local workforce. Ho's investments extended beyond Hong Kong and Macau, reaching into mainland China, Portugal, North Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Mozambique, Indonesia, and East Timor.

Throughout his life, Ho's insights on Hong Kong's real estate and commercial development wielded considerable influence over the market. However, his later years were marked by personal challenges, including a stroke in July 2009 and subsequent recovery. In late 2010, he began to transfer control of his financial empire to his family. Stanley Ho passed away on May 26, 2020, at the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital.