Robert Kuok
Malaysian billionaire business magnate / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Robert Kuok Hock Nien (simplified Chinese: 郭鹤年; traditional Chinese: 郭鶴年; pinyin: Guō Hènián; Foochow Romanized: Guóh Hŏk-nièng; born 6 October 1923) is a Malaysian business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Since 1973, Kuok has lived in Hong Kong.[2] According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at $11.8 billion as of April 2023,[3] making him the wealthiest Malaysian citizen[4][5] and 96th wealthiest person in the world.[6] As of April 2023, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2023, Kuok has an estimated net worth of $17.7 billion, making him the 97th richest person in the world.[7]
Robert Kuok | |
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郭鹤年 | |
Born | Kuok Hock Nien (1923-10-06) 6 October 1923 (age 100) |
Occupation(s) | Business magnate, investor, philanthropist |
Known for | Malaysia's richest person |
Title | Founder and chairman of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts |
Spouse(s) | Joyce Cheah (谢碧蓉) (deceased) Pauline Ho Poh Lin (何宝莲) |
Children | 8 |
Relatives | Kuok Khoon Hong (first cousin once removed)[1] |
Although Kuok is a major figure in Malaysian business circles, he has remained media shy and maintains a low public profile despite his massive business success and immense wealth, with most of his companies being privately held by him or his family members. Apart presiding the ownership over a multitude of businesses spread across numerous industries in the Malaysian economic landscape, his companies have investments in many countries throughout Continental Asia.[8] His business interests (collectively known as the Kuok Group of Companies) range from sugarcane plantations (Perlis Plantations Bhd), sugar refineries, flour milling, animal feed, oil, mining, financial services, hotel (Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts), real estate (Kerry Properties), trading, freight shipping (Kerry Logistics) and publishing.[9] The biggest source of wealth that has contributed to his private fortune is a stake in Wilmar International, the world's largest listed palm oil trader company.[10]
In 2018, Kuok was appointed to the Council of Eminent Persons to advise Ex-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.[11]