Robert Hotung

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Sir Robert Ho Tung (何啟東, 何東; 1862 - 1956) was a famous businessman and philanthropist in Hong Kong. He was born to a Dutch Jewish father and Cantonese Chinese mother. His bilingual skills eventually led him to a successful career as compradore for Jardine Matheson, the dominant British-owned trading company. Ho Tung was one of the first Chinese to be allowed to live on Victoria Peak (it had been restricted to Europeans only). He had financed Dr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutions to establish the Republic of China. There are many parks, schools, and buildings named after him in Hong Kong. Ho Tung's first wife, Lady Margaret Ho Tung died in 1943. The Ho family is still very influential in the Hong Kong business community.

[edit] Ho Family

Ho Tung had three sons.

The eldest, Edward Sai Kim Hotung (1902-1957), became a prominent banker and philanthropist in Hong Kong. Edward was founder of the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange in Hong Kong, as well as Treasurer of the Chinese War Chest in Shanghai during the Japanese occupation. His sons are Joseph Hotung and Eric Hotung CBE (1926-).

Eric is an international businessman and Ambassador at Large and Economics Advisor for Timor-Leste (East Timor). He was born in Hong Kong and grew up there and in Shanghai. Eric attended Georgetown University in 1947 and graduated in 1951. He worked in the New York Stock Exchange and at General Motors before returning to Hong Kong. Eric is married to Patricia Anne Shea. They have three sons and three daughters.

Ho Tung's second son, Robert Ho Shai-Lai (1906-1998), was a general under the Kuomintang regime. He was also Ambassador to Japan for the Republic of China from 1952 to 1956 and a member of the Nationalist China military delegation to the United Nations from 1956 to 1966. His son Robert Hung Ngai Ho (1932- ), is the founder of the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Society and a former journalist and publisher in Hong Kong.

Ho Tung had a third son, Henry, who died of tuberculosis in infancy.

Ho Tung had four sisters and five brothers, two of whom lived in Hong Kong. Ho Fook, his elder brother, also worked at Jardine Matheson as a compradore. He had 13 sons. One of his grandsons is Stanley Ho, the casino and shipping magnate.

Ho Kom Tong (1866-1950), was a younger brother of Ho Tung, who had more than 20 children.

Ho Kum was first cousin to Sir Robert Ho Tung.

Professor Julian Ma Hotung is Chair for Molecular Immunology at St. George's Hospital Medical School, University of London.