Early Life
Hong Ra-hee was born on July 15, 1945, in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea. She is the daughter of Hong Jin-ki, a former judge, Minister of Justice, and chairman of the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper. Her upbringing in a prominent family exposed her to cultural and intellectual environments. She received her education at Kyunggi Girls' High School and graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Applied Arts.
Rise to Success
Hong Ra-hee began her career at JoongAng Ilbo Publishing from 1975 to 1980. She later served as the Chairperson of Samsung Arts and Cultural Foundation starting in 1995. Hong's significant contributions to the arts in South Korea include co-founding the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, in 2004, with her husband, Lee Kun-hee. She also served as the director of the Ho-Am Art Museum. Her family has deep ties to Samsung and JoongAng Ilbo, with her father and brother holding positions within the media group. In April 2025, Hong Ra-hee was named honorary director of Leeum Museum of Art.
Key Business Strategies
While not directly involved in the core business operations of Samsung, Hong's influence has been considerable, particularly in the cultural sphere. She has played a crucial role in curating and preserving South Korea's cultural heritage through her leadership at the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art. She is also known for her art collection and evaluation, initially nurtured by her father-in-law, Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul.
Philanthropy
Hong Ra-hee has been dedicated to philanthropy and community service. In October 2024, she received recognition from the Korean Red Cross for her 34-year commitment to humanitarian causes. In January 2024, she orchestrated a substantial block sale of Samsung shares, which aimed to address the family's inheritance tax obligations.