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

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, according to a statement by the company he founded.

The entrepreneur, known affectionately as “Fourth Uncle” by his staff and associates, built a business empire that was valued at more than HK$284 billion (US$36.6 billion) at its peak in 2023, with interests in real estate, hotels, gas and a ferry.

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.

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.