Hotung family (Chinese: 何東家族) or Ho family is a prominent Eurasian family in Hong Kong. Originated in the 1890s during British rule in Hong Kong, the family was considered one of the four big families of Hong Kong during the colonial period. While the Hotungs are no longer seen as part of the contemporary big four (popularly called the four major real estate families), they remain the most renowned and the most compelling family.
Stanley Ho, the grandnephew of Robert Hotung, founder of the family, expanded his influence through gambling industry in Macau and established his house as one of the four great families of Macau.
Contents
History
Charles Henry Maurice Bosman (29 August 1839 – 10 November 1892) was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands as Mozes Hartog Bosman into a Dutch Jewish family. Bosman arrived at Hong Kong in around 1859 and worked in the city for some 15 years. He was described as a businessman of very considerable attainments, and also served as Consul for the Netherlands at Hong Kong. During his stay in Hong Kong he met Madam Sze (1841 – 20 April 1896), a Chinese lady also known as Sze Tai (施娣). Their first child was Ho Kai-tung (何啟東), later known as Robert Hotung, born in 1862. While of mixed Eurasian parentage, Hotung identified himself as native Chinese. One theory claims that his surname "Ho" derives from Holland, where Bosman was born.
Bosman left Hong Kong in 1873 for London to establish his Eastern Agency. Hotung was raised solely by his mother, and eventually became the richest man in Hong Kong. He was nicknamed "Far East JP Morgan" and "Grand Old Man of Hong Kong".
Family tree
Source:
Ho family
Ho's first family (何一宅) refers to descendants of Ho Pak-ngan, of an unknown European and Sze Tai.
Ho's second, third, fourth, and sixth family are descendants of children of Bosman and Sze Tai.
Ho's second family (何二宅), also known as the Hotung family or "Ho Cheung Sing Tong" (何昌盛堂), refers to descendants of Robert Hotung. Ho's third family (何三宅), also known as Ho Cheung Yuen Tong (何昌遠堂) refers to descendants of Ho Kai-fook. Ho's fourth family and Ho's sixth family both have no issue as, respectively, Ho Kai-moon and Ho Kai-gai, later known as Walter Bosman, died childless.
Ho's fifth family (何五宅), also known as the Hotung family or "Ho Cheung Sin Tong" (何昌善堂), refers to descendants of non-Eurasian Ho Kom-tong, of Sze Tai and an unknown Chinese.
Notable persons
Businesses
Sir Robert Hotung – merchant known as "Grand Old Man of Hong Kong", awarded KBE in 1955
Ho Kai-fook – comprador of Jardines and former Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council
Ho Sai-wing – comprador of Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank
Eric Hotung – businessman, awarded CBE in 2001
Stanley Ho – businessman known as "King of Gambling", founder of Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau and Shun Tak Holdings, awarded GML in 2007, GBM in 2010, OBE in 1990, GCIH in 1995
Pansy Ho – businesswoman and managing director of Shun Tak Holdings
Daisy Ho – businesswoman and director of Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau
Lawrence Ho – businessman and CEO of Melco International
Mario Ho – chairman of NIP Group, co-owner of the Boston Celtics
George Ho – media mogul and founding chairman of Commercial Radio, awarded GBS in 2001
Politics
Ho Shai-lai – former army officer and later National Policy Advisors to President Chiang Kai-shek, awarded Order of the Sacred Tripod in 1948
Eric Peter Ho – civil servant and former Secretary for Social Services, awarded CBE in 1981
Arts and culture
Sir Joseph Hotung – art collector, first chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council and former trustee of British Museum, knighted in 1993
Josie Ho – singer and actress
Medical
Ho Sai-chuen – doctor and member of Sanitary Board
John Ho Hung-chiu – radiologist and oncologist, awarded OBE in 1966
Others
Irene Cheng, née Hotung – educationalist and first Chinese woman graduate of the University of Hong Kong, awarded OBE in 1961
Robert Ho Hung-ngai – former journalist, awarded CM in 2018