Early Life
Li Ka-shing was born in Chaozhou, Guangdong, China, on July 29, 1928. Due to the Sino-Japanese War, his family fled to Hong Kong in 1940. At age 15, Li was forced to leave school and support his family after his father died from tuberculosis. He started working at a plastics trading company.
Rise to Success
In 1950, Li started Cheung Kong Industries with $6,500, manufacturing plastic products. He shifted focus to real estate in the late 1950s. Li acquired Hutchison Whampoa in 1979. He later expanded his business interests into various sectors like telecommunications, ports, and retail. He retired as chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Asset Holdings in 2018, but remains a senior advisor.
Key Business Strategies
Li Ka-shing is known for his shrewd business skills. He has a knack for anticipating economic highs and lows. He made investments in Facebook, Siri, and Spotify. His investment firm, Horizons Ventures, invests in science and technology.
Philanthropy
Li established the Li Ka Shing Foundation in 1980. The foundation has donated over $3.8 billion, with over 80% going to Greater China. His philanthropic efforts focus on education and healthcare.