Malaysia’s richest person, Robert Kuok, turned 102 today (6 October).
Robert, who founded Kuok Group, has a net worth of USD12.9 billion (~RM54.3 billion) as of April 2025.
Malaysia’s richest person turned 102 today!
Kuok Group mainly focuses on hotels, real estate, and commodities, and Robert is one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the Asian market.
He founded the internationally renowned Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts chain in Singapore in 1971, and his nephew, Kuok Khoon Hong, runs Wilmar International, in which Kuok has a valuable stake.
Robert’s eldest son, Beau Kuok, is chairman of Kuok Group. His youngest son, Kuok Khoon Hua, is chairman and CEO of Hong Kong property company Kerry Properties.
According to Forbes, Robert, who was born on 6 October 1923, in Johor Bahru, Johor, is a long-time resident of Hong Kong, and his daughter, Kuok Hui Kwong, was named the CEO of Shangri-La Asia in July.
As chairman of the Hong Kong-listed Shangri-La, she oversees total assets of USD13.2 billion (~RM55.6 billion), including stakes in 77 of more than 100 hotels the Kuok family manages around the world under four brands, namely, Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen, and Traders, as well as side businesses in wine and golf courses.
Despite Robert’s age, his passion for business has not diminished
In an interview with Robert’s grandson earlier this year, he mentioned that the tycoon is still catching up with the latest business developments, including the trend of data centers.
Kuok started his career in business trading rice, sugar, and wheat flour in 1949 in Johor, and was dubbed the “Sugar King of Asia”. He has a long history with Forbes, having frequently topped its Malaysia’s richest for over 20 years.
Also read: “She said she liked me” – KL Man Loses RM160k to ‘Rich HK Woman’ Who Offered RM1mil for His Sperm
