We are all familiar with Genting Highlands, that hilltop resort all Malaysians love to go to just literally chill in the cool air. Syok, right! When the founder of Genting Group, Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong passed away in late 2007, it took everyone aback even though he was already 89 years old.
His widow, Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua survived him and became the richest woman in Malaysia as she inherited his wealth. According to The Star, she was estimated to have RM21billion worth of assets while Michelle Yeoh came in at second place with RM875million. Big difference or what?
However, it is sad to hear that Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua has passed away this morning at the age of 88, according to China Press. Her death was confirmed by her son, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay but no official statement has been released from Genting Group.
She gave birth to six children, Lim Siew Lay, Siew Lian, Siew Kim, Tee Keong, Kok Thay and Chee Wah, who all of them gave her a total of nineteen grandchildren.
Their love story began when the couple met each other at Lim’s hardware store back in 1944. She was actually his neighbour!
They fell in love and three months after meeting each other, they got married when Lim was 26 years old and Lee was 16 years old. They had a simple wedding ceremony in one of the Chinese restaurants in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur with only three banquet tables for their relatives.
Although in the beginning they weren’t very well off, but their love for each other was strong and they each played their own roles in supporting each other. She would run the household and provide a warm and loving home for Lim when he returned, tired out from a long day at work.
The couple who had been married for 63 years before Lim passed away was often held up as role models for their strong bond and love as Lim had always praised his wife and said, “God has been good to me. He gave me such a good wife who cares for me, thoughtful and kind, plus she has been with me all these years through many ups and downs.”
In his memoirs, he said, “She would not interfere in my matters but if I faced any difficulties, she would always share my troubles with me as well as giving me encouragement. I think that a person’s career is important but to have a warm and harmonious home is even more important.”
What’s more, for most of the important public events, you would be able to see Lim bringing his wife along no matter where he goes as well.
While her passing is a sad piece of news, it is rumoured that it will further inflame the legal war that is going on between two of her grandchildren against two of their uncles over their inheritance. In the complicated battle, which was triggered by her eldest son’s death, he died a bankrupt but there was still a huge amount left in trusts set up by his late father.
Rest in peace, Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua.
Also read: 8 Fun Things You Can Do in Genting Aside From Gambling Your Money Away