Cover Tan Sri Robert Kuok celebrated his 100th birthday on Oct 6, 2023 (Photo: Robert Kuok Facebook)
Tan Sri Robert Kuok celebrated his 100th birthday on Oct 6, 2023 (Photo: Robert Kuok Facebook)
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Tan Sri Robert Kuok, renowned business magnate and our Asia’s Most Influential 2021 honouree celebrated his 100th birthday on Friday
Celebrating your 100th birthday is a remarkable achievement, placing you in an exclusive league of centenarians. However, when one attains such a milestone while also holding the title of the wealthiest individual in the nation, it’s an accomplishment that elevates Tan Sri Robert Kuok into uncharted territory.
Born in 1923 in Johor, Kuok stands among a distinguished cohort of Asian entrepreneurs.
For the past few decades, Kuok has consistently been hailed as Malaysia’s wealthiest man, owing to his establishment and control of the Kuok Group, a conglomerate with diverse interests spanning the region. The Kuok Group boasts a formidable presence in sectors ranging from hospitality, agriculture, real estate, to freight and logistics. Notably, Kuok’s largest source of wealth derives from his stake in Wilmar International, the world’s largest publicly traded palm-oil refiner. However, the crown jewel in the Kuok Group’s portfolio is arguably the globally renowned Shangri-La Hotels.
Read more: Forbes Richest 2023: 18 Malaysians are on this year's Billionaire List
Beyond his extraordinary business acumen, Kuok is also a pivotal figure in the political arena, cultivating close ties with the governments of Malaysia and China. His philanthropic endeavours have been exceptional since 1970s through the Kuok Foundation which has generously provided scholarships, grants, and donations to enhance educational facilities and promote scientific research. Kuok’s legacy is further underscored by his establishment of numerous non-profit hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and shelters.
See also: How Asia's Billionaires are Using Their Wealth to Change the World for the Better
While he has been a resident of Hong Kong since the 1970s, Kuok’s 2017 memoir, Robert Kuok: A Memoir, unveiled his enduring affection for Malaysia. Today, his various business ventures are guided by the next generation of Kuoks, including his children and nephew, ensuring the legacy of this remarkable entrepreneur lives on.
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