Obituary—It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. The Honourable Lee Shau Kee, GBM, Founder of Henderson Land Group. Dr. Lee departed peacefully in the evening of 17 March 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 97 years old.
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. The Honourable Lee Shau Kee, GBM, Founder of Henderson Land Group. Dr. Lee departed peacefully in the evening of 17 March 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 97 years old.
Dr. Lee Shau Kee was an eminent business leader, renowned for his integrity and adeptness. He was a towering figure, who excelled in navigating complex challenges. He served as Chairman of Henderson Land Development Company Limited, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, and Miramar Hotel and Investment Company, Limited; Vice Chairman of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited; and Director of The Bank of East Asia, Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company Limited, and Union Hospital. He was also a member of the Preparatory Committee and the Selection Committee for the first term of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as the Chief Honorary President of the Shun Tak Fraternal Association. In 1996, Dr. Lee was ranked fourth on the Forbes Richest World’s Billionaires List, an achievement that became widely celebrated and earned him the title "Pride of the Chinese People".
Dr. Lee was deeply devoted to his homeland and passionate about education and nurturing talent. He received numerous honorary degrees and distinctions from educational institutions both in Mainland China and abroad, including Honorary Director from Peking University, Honorary Trustee from Tsinghua University, and an Honorary Doctorate from Fudan University; an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from The University of Hong Kong; an Honorary Fellowship from The Chinese University of Hong Kong; and an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, and the University of East Asia, Macau. He was also awarded an Honorary Fellow by Wadham College, the University of Oxford, UK, and received the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the Government of France.
In 1982, Dr. Lee established the Hong Kong Pei Hua Education Foundation, dedicating himself to cultivating leadership talent in Mainland China for the nation’s rejuvenation. His efforts had a profound impact, with graduates assuming significant leadership roles. He also supported impactful large-scale training initiatives, such as the "Overseas Study Programme for a Thousand University Presidents in Central and Western Regions of China”, and the "Warmth Project for Training of a Million Farmers and Ten Thousand Village Doctors” in Mainland China. Over the years, he earned recognition from the national government and various municipal authorities, receiving honorary citizenships from cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou and Foshan. He was also appointed as a Hong Kong Affairs Advisor by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and a Trustee of the Better Hong Kong Foundation.
Through the Lee Shau Kee Foundation, Dr. Lee spent decades aiding the disadvantaged and prioritising education. He generously supported universities and secondary schools in Mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas, enhancing teaching facilities and establishing scholarships. His philanthropic contributions, amounting to billions of dollars, created a ripple effect, inspiring countless others to follow his example.
Under his strong leadership, the member companies of his Group embraced a "people-oriented" culture and a commitment to sustainable development. The group’s focus on public welfare and environmental stewardship earned widespread acclaim from society, and he received numerous awards in recent years. The Group’s volunteer service hours were consistently ranked among the highest in Hong Kong, providing comprehensive support to ethnic minorities and the underprivileged.
Born in Shunde City, Guangdong province, Dr. Lee displayed exceptional intelligence from a young age. He arrived in Hong Kong as a teenager and starting from humble beginnings, founded the Henderson Land Group. Known for his benevolence and unwavering dedication to charity, Dr. Lee tirelessly supported worthy causes, earning deep admiration from all sectors of society. He conducted himself with fairness, empathy and exemplary leadership, setting a personal example through his kind words and deeds. Beloved by his employees, his passing leaves us in profound sorrow. Yet, his legacy of virtue and exemplary conduct will endure forever. He will be eternally cherished in our hearts.
The date of Dr. Lee’s funeral ceremony will be announced separately once the arrangements have been finalised by his family.
Respectfully mourned by all:
Henderson Land Development Company Limited
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
Towngas Smart Energy Company Limited
Miramar Hotel and Investment Company, Limited
Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company Limited
Henderson Investment Limited
Union Hospital