Malaysian business tycoon Robert Kuok, known today for his remarkable business judgments, celebrated his 100th birthday. According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at $11.8 billion as of April 2023, making him the richest Malaysian citizen and the 96th richest person in the world.
Robert Kuok’s Biography
Robert Kuok Hock Nien born on 6 October 1923, is a Malaysian business tycoon, investor and philanthropist who since 1973, has lived in Hong Kong.
According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at US$11.8 billion as of April 2023, making him the richest Malaysian citizen and the 96th richest person in the world. As of April 2023, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2023, Robert Kuok has an estimated net worth of $17.7 billion, making him the 97th richest person in the world.
Robert Kuok is media shy and keeps a low profile with the public, most of his businesses are owned by him or his family. In addition to owning countless businesses in Malaysia, his companies also invest in many mainland Asian countries.
Its business interests (collectively known as the Kuok Group of Companies) range from sugarcane plantations (Perlis Plantations Bhd), sugar refineries, flour milling, animal feed, oil and gas, mining, finance, hotels (Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts), real estate (Kerry Properties), trading, freight (Kerry Logistics) and publishing.
His largest source of wealth is shares in Wilmar International, the world’s largest publicly traded palm oil company. In 2018, Robert Kuok was appointed to the Council of Eminent People to advise former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
Early Life and Education
Robert Kuok was born on October 6, 1923, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. He is the youngest of three brothers. His father, Kuok Keng Kang, came from Fuzhou to Malaysia as a teenager. Robert Kuok attended Raffles College in Singapore and later pursued his studies at the University of Nottingham in England.
Career
Robert Kuok started his career as a trader in the commodity business in 1949. He later expanded his business interests to include sugar, palm oil, shipping, and property development. He is the founder of the Kuok Group, which owns the luxury Shangri-La hotel chain.
Family Tree
Robert Kuok’s family tree spans multiple generations. His father, Kuok Keng Kang (1893 Fuzhou – 1948), had three sons: Phillip Kuok Hock Khee (18 May 1921 – 16 Dec 2003), William Kuok Hock Ling (Jul 1922 – 1952), and Robert Kuok (6 Oct 1923 Johor Bahru).
Robert Kuok has children from his first marriage: Ruth, Beau, Sue, Jill, and Ean. Ruth married Paul Leese and is the mother of Samantha Kuok Leese (journalist) and Alexandra Kuok Leese (photographer). Jill married Sanford Friedman and has two children: Lea Woods Almanza and John. John worked for Deutsche Bank for seven years and then Morgan Stanley before joining Agfunder.com. Robert Kuok’s grand-nephew is Kuok Khoon Hong.
Personal Life
Robert Kuok is known for his philanthropic work. He established the Robert Kuok Foundation in 2010 to support education and poverty alleviation initiatives in Malaysia and China.
Robert Kuok’s Nationality
Robert Kuok is a Malaysian born in Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Robert Kuok’s Net Worth
According to Forbes, Robert Kuok’s net worth is estimated at US$11.8 billion as of April 2023, making him the richest Malaysian citizen and the 96th richest person in the world. As of April 2023, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2023, Robert Kuok has an estimated net worth of $17.7 billion, making him the 97th richest person in the world.
Where is Robert Kuok from?
Robert Kuok is a Malaysian from Johor Bahru, capital of the Malaysian state of Johor, sits at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. With a causeway across the Straits of Johor connecting it to Singapore, it’s a gateway for exploration of that island nation.
How old is Robert Kuok?
Born on October 6, 1923, the Malaysian business magnate, investor, and philanthropist Robert Kuok is 100 years.
Robert Kuok’s Height & Weight
Robert Kuok stands 5 feet and 5 inches tall and weighs 53kgs
Robert Kuok’s Marital Status
Robert Kuok has been married twice. His first wife was Joyce Cheah and his second wife was Pauline Ho Poh Lin. He had eight children from these marriages.
Robert Kuok’s Family & Siblings
Robert Kuok is the son of Kuok Keng Kang and Zheng Ge Ru. Robert was the youngest of three brothers.
Robert Kuok’s older brother, Philip Kuok Hock Khee was a former Malaysian ambassador to Germany, Yugoslavia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Denmark. Philip married Eileen Kuok and had two sons and two daughters. Philip Kuok died in 2003. His other brother, William Kuok Hock Ling, was a member of the Malayan Communist Party and was killed during the Malayan Emergency in 1952.
According to his memoirs, Robert Kuok described that among all the brothers, his mother Zheng Ge Ru loved and loved William the most, and was heartbroken when she learned of William’s death.
Why is Robert Kuok famous?
Robert Kuok is famous as a Malaysian billionaire, business tycoon, investor and philanthropist who since 1973, has lived in Hong Kong and turned 100 years today 6th October, 2023.
Robert Kuok’s Children
Robert Kuok had eight children from his two marriages. His son Kuok Khoon Ean, born in 1955, married Kuok Cheng Sui and has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Nottingham, England.
His remaining son, Kuok Khoon Ho, is the president of Kuok Brothers, born in 1951 and has a bachelor’s degree from McGill University, Canada. Kuok Hui Kwong, born 1975, (48 years) his daughter, is the managing director and chief executive officer of SCMP Group and chairwoman of Shangri-La Asia. One of his sons, Kuok Khoon Ean, manages most of his day-to-day business operations. He is currently residing in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuok Khoon Chen, also known as Beau, born 1954, (69 years) is the eldest son of Mr Robert Kuok. His daughter Yen Kuok born January 25, 1990, (33 years) was the Founder and served as Chief Executive Officer at Guiltless International. His other daughter Ruth Kuok has been working as a Director at Kuok (Singapore) Limited for 8 years.
Suon Kwong Kuok is currently Non-Executive Director at Allgreen Properties. Kuok’s daughter Sue Kuok Suon Kwong or Suraya Abdullah was at one time married to prominent banker Tan Sri Rashid Hussain. Jill Kuok Friedman born February 28, 1949, (74 years) has been a volunteer for over forty years, in Honolulu from the 1970’s and in Singapore more recently, helping the arts and social world.
Robert Kuok’s Social Media
Robert Kuok goes by the handle @robertkuok_ on Instagram
Conclusion
Robert Kuok is a prominent Malaysian businessman who has made significant contributions to various industries throughout his career. He has an estimated net worth of $11.8 billion as of April 2023 and is known for his philanthropic work.
FAQs
Q1: What is Robert Kuok’s net worth?
A: According to Forbes, Robert Kuok’s net worth is estimated at $11.8 billion as of April 2023.
Q2: What businesses does Robert Kuok own?
A: Robert Kuok owns businesses in various industries including sugar, palm oil, shipping, property development, and luxury hotels.
Q3: What is the Robert Kuok Foundation?
A: The Robert Kuok Foundation was established by Robert Kuok in 2010 to support education and poverty alleviation initiatives in Malaysia and China.
Q4: Who are Robert Kuok’s children?
A: Robert Kuok has five children from his first marriage: Ruth, Beau, Sue, Jill, and Ean.
Q5: What philanthropic work has Robert Kuok done?
A: Robert Kuok is known for his philanthropic work. He established the Robert Kuok Foundation in 2010 to support education and poverty alleviation initiatives in Malaysia and China.
