About Robert Kuok
Robert Kuok Hock Nien is a leading figure in the business world, hailing from Malaysia. He is known for his investments and business ventures that span multiple countries in Asia, covering diverse industries like sugarcane plantations, sugar refineries, flour milling, animal feed, oil, mining, finance, hotel, property, trading, freight and publishing. Although Kuok has been based in Hong Kong since 1973, he tends to keep a low profile, and most of his businesses are privately held by him or his family. His hotel chain, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and property company, Kerry Properties, are some of his well-known ventures.
Kuok started his business journey as an office boy and eventually with the support of his relatives, he moved into entrepreneurship. After finishing his studies, he did a job as a clerk in the rice-trading division of the Japanese industrial giant Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha, during the Japanese occupation period of Singapore from 1942 to 1945. This conglomerate had the backing of Japanese military forces and held a monopoly over the rice trade in Malaya during the occupation era.
Robert Kuok Family
Robert Kuok was born on October 6th, 1923 in Johor Bahru in a family of Malaysian Chinese. His dad, Kuok Keng Kang, came to Malaya from Fuzhou, China, in the early 1900s. Robert was the youngest of three brothers and his mom’s name was Zheng Ge Ru. Growing up, Robert spoke his parents’ Fuzhou dialect, as well as English and Japanese during Japan’s occupation of Malaya. He went to Raffles Institution, where he was in the same class as Lee Kuan Yew, and also attended English College Johore Bahru.
Robert Kuok Career
In 1948, the senior Kuok passed away, and his son Robert Kuok teamed up with his brothers and cousin, Kuok Hock Chin, to establish a company called Kuok Brothers Sdn Bhd the following year. They started trading agricultural commodities. Even after Malaya gained independence, Kuok maintained a good relationship with the Japanese.
In 1959, Kuok partnered with two prominent Japanese businessmen to form Malayan Sugar Manufacturing Co. Bhd. He invited influential Malay elites, including politicians and royalty, to be part of his company as directors and shareholders. In 1961, he bought sugar from India at a low price, which turned out to be a wise move as sugar prices skyrocketed afterwards. He continued investing heavily in sugar refineries, eventually controlling 80% of the Malaysian sugar market.
Robert Kuok Facts
Did you know that Robert Kuok, a successful businessman, has been married twice? His first wife’s name was Joyce Cheah, and his second wife’s name is Pauline Ho Poh Lin. Together, he and his wives have eight children.
Kuok is a person who follows Buddhism and he resides in the Deep Water Bay area located on Hong Kong Island. In the month of March in the year 2018, Kuok authored a book titled “Robert Kuok: A Memoir” which depicted his life story.
Robert Kuok Net Worth
As of 2023, Kuok has an estimated net worth of $10.5 billion, making him the richest person in the world. The primary source of his wealth stems from his ownership stake in Wilmar International, which is presently the biggest palm oil trading company listed on the global stock exchange.
Personal Information
| Full Name | Robert Kuok Hock Nien |
| Father’s Name | Kuok Keng Kang |
| Mother’s Name | Zheng Ge Ru |
| Siblings | Philip, William |
| Date Of Birth | 6 October 1923 |
| Age | 99 Years |
| Birth Place | Johor Bahru, British Malaya |
| Height | Not Mention |
| Education | Graduate |
| Net Worth | $10.4 Billion |
| Profession | Businessman, Investor |
| Relationship Status | Married |
Also Read:
Peter Woo Net Worth, Age, Family & Biography