Francis Choi Photo: Forbes
The wealth of Sai Kung’s richest man has risen to US$8.1 billion, according to Forbes magazine. Francis Choi Chee-ming is the world’s largest toy manufacturer and boy, has this lad got toys! In his office near Shenzhen he has a $10 million aquarium, an antelope head, a vintage Harley-Davidson and two life-sized statues of Roman warriors. Outside two Rolls-Royce Phantoms and two Porsches, part of his fleet of 70 cars, are parked. On the Gold Coast, Australia, Choi has two dozen boats. Choi is the 10th richest person in Hong Kong and 283rd in the world.
Choi lives with his wife in a gated, walled mansion at The Cove, Chuk Kok, Sai Kung. There they have been raided by burglars. The billionaire, wife, nanny and baby hid in a bedroom until the police arrived.
A self-made man, Choi began as a toy salesman. He taught families how to make toys and opened his first factory in 1972. He teamed up with Mattel making Snoopy products. Energetic and ambitious, Choi grew his business, Early Light International Ltd, until now he has factories in and around Shenzhen, employing about 20,000.
He and his family own countless properties, including the Beach Hotel and Pier Hotel in Sai Kung, plus stakes in Town Health International, owner of a chain of medical clinics, Regal Hotels International, a chain of watch retailers as well as properties in China and Australia.
Choi has one son Karson, who is married to the model Irene Wang.
You’re unlikely to see Choi buying a cheese burger in McDonald’s.
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