Lee Shau-kee, founder of Henderson and the ‘Fourth Uncle’ to Hongkongers, dies at age 97

The entrepreneur built a business empire valued at more than HK$551 billion as of March 17, with interests in real estate, hotels, piped gas and a ferry operation.

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Chairman Lee Shau-kee attends the Towngas 2010 Annual General Meeting. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 8:08pm, 17 Mar 2025Updated: 9:56pm, 17 Mar 2025

Henderson Land Development’s founder Lee Shau-kee, one of Hong Kong’s wealthiest developers and biggest philanthropists, died on Monday. He was 97.

Lee died peacefully, surrounded by his family, the company said in a statement.

The entrepreneur, known affectionately as “Fourth Uncle” by his staff and associates, built a business empire comprising seven Hong Kong-listed companies with a combined market value of HK$551 billion (US$71 billion) as of March 17, with interests in real estate, hotels, piped gas and a ferry operation.

Lee, who is survived by five children, stepped down as chairman and managing director of Henderson in May 2019. His eldest son Peter Lee Ka-kit and younger son Martin Lee Ka-shing were appointed as joint chairmen and managing directors of one of Hong Kong’s largest developers, while the elder Lee remained as an executive director.

Lee Shau-kee before his retirement from Henderson Land Development in 2019. Photo: Handout

Before his retirement, Lee was the chairman of The Hong Kong and China Gas Company, also known as Towngas. He was an executive director of Henderson Investment and a non-executive director of Miramar Hotel and Investment and Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings). He was also vice-chairman of Sun Hung Kai Properties until November 2020.