Cecil Chao Explained

Cecil Chao
Birth Name:	Cecil Chao Sze-Tsung
Birth Date:	1936 9, df=yes
Birth Place:	Shanghai, China
Citizenship:	Hong Kong
Occupation:	Chairman of Cheuk Nang (Holdings) Ltd.
Children:	3; including Gigi
Parents:	Chao Tsong-yea (father) Chao Nyi Ya-tsung (mother)
Alma Mater:	University of Durham

Cecil Chao Sze-Tsung (; born September 27, 1936) is a Hong Kong billionaire who is the owner of Cheuk Nang (Holdings) Ltd, a Hong Kong-based property development and investment company, known for its focus on residential and commercial real estate projects in the region.^[1]

The Chao family is a prominent shipping dynasty in Hong Kong, founded by Chao Tsong-yea in the mid-20th century. Chao is the last surviving of the four sons of Wuxi-born shipping tycoon Chao Tsong-yea and his wife Chao Nyi Ya-tsung. His elder brother Frank Chao Sze-bang died in 2001, and his younger brother George Chao Sze-kwong died in 2016.^{[2] [3]}

He claims to have dated over 10,000 women. He has three children by three of them: Wai Yiu (mother of Gigi Chao), Ying Ying (mother of Howard), and Terri Holladay (mother of Roman).^{[4] [5]}

In 2012, Chao gained international attention when he offered $65 million to any man who could convince his lesbian daughter, Gigi Chao, to marry him.^{[6] [7]} Despite criticism, Chao remained unrepentant.^{[8] [9]} In 2014, Chao increased the reward to $180 million.^{[10] [11] [12]} Gigi responded publicly in an open letter printed in the South China Morning Post.^{[13] [14]} He has since rescinded the offer publicly.

Notes and References

1. News: Cheuk Nang Holdings Ltd (131:Hong Kong) . Business Week. https://web.archive.org/web/20120930225344/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=8789662&ticker=131:HK. dead. 30 September 2012. 25 January 2014.
2. Web site: Funeral Mass for shipping tycoon. Poon. Patrick. 2001-02-20. South China Morning Post. 2019-08-15.
3. Web site: Shipping tycoon George Chao dies. Yu. Esther. 2016-07-22. The Standard. 2019-08-15.
4. http://hk-magazine.com/city-living/article/hong-kongs-sex-rumours-exposed Hong Kong's Sex Rumours Exposed
5. News: 趙世曾一生未婚 三個仔女三個媽 . 24 April 2022 . hk.entertainment.appledaily.com . 9 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123741/https://hk.entertainment.appledaily.com/entertainment/daily/article/20170219/19933021 . dead .
6. News: Hong Kong Billionaire Offers $65 Million To Any Man Who Can Woo His Gay Daughter. Business Insider. 25 January 2014.
7. News: Hong Kong tycoon recruits husband for lesbian daughter . 24 April 2022 . BBC News . 26 September 2012.
8. News: Gigi Chao – reluctant celebrity. South China Morning Post. 25 January 2014.
9. News: 'I'm not forcing Gigi,' stunned Cecil Chao says of marriage bounty. South China Morning Post. 25 January 2014.
10. News: Hong Kong billionaire Cecil Chao 'doubles marriage bounty to £80m' for man who marries his lesbian daughter. The Independent. 25 January 2014.
11. News: Who Is Gigi Chao? Billionaire Cecil Chao's Daughter Annoyed With Dad's 'Marriage Bounty'. International Business Times. 25 January 2014.
12. News: Hong Kong tycoon's daughter defends sexuality in letter. BBC. 30 January 2014.
13. http://www.towleroad.com/2014/01/chao2.html Lesbian Gigi Chao Responds to Father Who is Offering $130 Million for Male Suitor: VIDEO
14. Web site: 卓能（集團）有限公司：主席趙世曾 . main.ednews.hk . 24 April 2022 . 8 October 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071008033136/http://main.ednews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/20061005/00131/F105_c.pdf . dead .