Li Ka-shing Net Worth

Li Ka-shing net worth – What is the net worth of Li Ka-shing? Li Ka-shing is a Hong Kong business magnate, investor, and philanthropist who has a net worth of $40 billion. Nicknamed “Superman” in Hong Kong for his business prowess, he is one of the most influential tycoons in Asia. He built a global empire spanning ports, retail, telecommunications, and energy through his conglomerates CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Asset Holdings.

What is Li Ka-shing’s Net Worth?

As of 2026, Li Ka-shing has an estimated net worth of US $40 billion. His wealth is derived from his massive diversified business empire, which includes the world’s largest health and beauty retailer (A.S. Watson Group) and leading port operator. Beyond traditional industries, Li is a legendary technology investor. His venture capital firm, Horizons Ventures, made early and highly lucrative bets on companies like Facebook (now Meta), Spotify, Zoom, Siri, and DeepMind. Despite his immense wealth, he is famously frugal and has pledged one-third of his assets to his charitable foundation.

Net Worth Comparison with Other Billionaires

Billionaire	Estimated Net Worth
Li Ka-shing	$40 Billion
Mukesh Ambani	$115 Billion
Jack Ma	$25 Billion
Pony Ma	$45 Billion
Warren Buffett	$140 Billion
Lee Shau-kee	$28 Billion

Li Ka-shing Net Worth Growth Timeline

Year	Net Worth
2018	$34 Billion
2020	$29 Billion
2022	$35 Billion
2024	$38 Billion
2026	**$40 Billion**

Who is Li Ka-shing?

Li Ka-shing is a business legend born on July 29, 1928, in Chaozhou, China. A war refugee who fled to Hong Kong as a child, he was forced to drop out of school at age 15 to support his family after his father’s death. From these humble beginnings working in a plastics factory, he founded his own company, eventually becoming the richest man in Hong Kong for decades. He is renowned for his uncanny ability to buy assets at rock-bottom prices during crises and sell them at their peak.

Li Ka-shing Biography

Field	Details
Full Name	Li Ka-shing
Nickname	Superman
Date of Birth	July 29, 1928
Age	97 years
Birthplace	Chaozhou, Guangdong, China
Nationality	Canadian, Chinese (Hong Kong)
Profession	Business Magnate, Investor, Philanthropist
Years Active	1950–present
Net Worth	$40 billion
Source of Wealth	Diversified (Ports, Retail, Tech, Real Estate)
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Marital Status	Widowed
Spouse	Chong Yuet-ming (m. 1963; died 1990)
Children	Victor Li, Richard Li
Parents	Li Yun-jing, Cheung Bik-chin

Early Life and Education

Li Ka-shing was born into a scholarly but poor family in Chaozhou, Guangdong province, China. In 1940, fleeing the Sino-Japanese War, his family sought refuge in Hong Kong. Tragically, shortly after their arrival, Li’s father contracted tuberculosis and died.

At just 15 years old, Li was forced to leave school to support his mother and siblings. He found work in a plastics trading company, laboring for 16 hours a day. He often sold his own clothes to buy second-hand books to continue his education independently. By age 22, he had saved enough money to start his own factory, Cheung Kong Industries, which initially manufactured plastic flowers.

Career

Li’s “plastic flower” business boomed, and he became known as the “King of Plastic Flowers” in the 1950s. Seeing a new opportunity, he pivoted to real estate in the late 60s, acquiring land at low prices during political instability in Hong Kong.

In 1979, he became the first Chinese businessman to acquire a controlling stake in a British-owned trading house, Hutchison Whampoa. This move catapulted him into the global elite, expanding his reach into ports, shipping, and retail.

In the 21st century, Li proved he wasn’t just a traditional industrialist. Through Horizons Ventures, he became a visionary tech investor. He invested $120 million in Facebook in 2007 when it was barely profitable, a stake that ballooned in value. He also backed Zoom, Spotify, and Siri long before they became household names. He officially retired as Chairman in 2018, passing the reins to his eldest son, Victor Li, but remains a Senior Advisor.

Personal Life

Li Ka-shing married his cousin, Chong Yuet-ming, in 1963. They had two sons: Victor Li, who now runs the family empire, and Richard Li, a successful businessman in his own right (founder of PCCW). Chong Yuet-ming passed away from a heart attack in 1990 at the age of 58. Li never remarried.

His life has not been without drama; in 1996, his eldest son Victor was kidnapped by the notorious gangster “Big Spender” Cheung Tze-keung. Li famously paid a HK$1 billion ransom in cash without involving the police to secure his son’s safe release. He reportedly told the kidnapper to invest the money wisely, advice the gangster ignored.

Favorite Things

Category	Favorite
Watch	Citizen / Seiko (Solar powered)
Sport	Golf
Food	Congee, Simple Chinese vegetables
Routine	Waking up at 5:59 AM
Philosophy	“Knowledge changes fate”
Hobby	Reading, Feng Shui

50 Unknown Facts about Li Ka-shing

1. He was forced to drop out of school at age 15.
2. He started his first company, Cheung Kong, at age 22 with just $6,500.
3. The name “Cheung Kong” is Cantonese for the Yangtze River, symbolizing continuity and aggregation.
4. He is nicknamed “Superman” in Hong Kong for his business acumen.
5. He wakes up every morning at 5:59 AM, regardless of when he slept.
6. He used to wear a $50 Citizen Eco-Drive watch for decades, despite being a billionaire.
7. He only switched to a slightly more expensive watch recently to see the time better.
8. He plays golf every morning for 1.5 hours.
9. He has a custom-made swimming pool at his home.
10. He invested in Zoom in 2013 because the video quality was good.
11. He holds a Canadian passport.
12. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II (KBE) in 2000.
13. He pledged to donate one-third of his assets to charity.
14. His foundation, the Li Ka Shing Foundation, has donated billions to education and healthcare.
15. He paid a HK$1 billion ransom for his son Victor in 1996.
16. The ransom money was so heavy it had to be driven away in a truck.
17. He advised his son’s kidnapper not to gamble the money away (the kidnapper lost it all gambling).
18. He has lived in the same house in Deep Water Bay, Hong Kong, for decades.
19. He was the world’s largest operator of container terminals.
20. He owns the perfumery retailer Marionnaud.
21. His company owns Superdrug in the UK and Rossmann in Germany.
22. He was an early investor in Spotify.
23. He invested in DeepMind, the AI company later bought by Google.
24. He invested in Siri before Apple acquired it.
25. He is known for leaving “money on the table” for partners to ensure long-term relationships.
26. He reads books on history, philosophy, and business every night before bed.
27. He has honorary doctorates from Cambridge, Peking University, and HKU.
28. He considers his charitable foundation to be his “third son.”
29. He once lost a contact lens on the floor and searched for it to “not be wasteful,” despite his wealth.
30. He employs Feng Shui principles in his building designs.
31. His office is located on the top floor of the Cheung Kong Center.
32. He has a special private elevator to his office.
33. He is fluent in Teochew, Cantonese, and speaks English with a distinct accent.
34. He faced criticism for selling Hong Kong assets and moving capital to Europe in recent years.
35. He owns Northumbrian Water in the UK.
36. He owns a significant portion of the UK’s electricity distribution network.
37. He once worked as a sweeper in a factory.
38. He sold plastic flowers to Italy in his early days.
39. He is a Commander of the Legion of Honour (France).
40. He never remarried after his wife died in 1990.
41. He has 14 grandchildren.
42. He is known to be extremely punctual; his watch is always set 20 minutes fast.
43. He donated HK$1 billion to build a Buddhist monastery in Hong Kong (Tsz Shan Monastery).
44. The monastery features a bulletproof VIP dormitory for him.
45. He stepped down as Chairman at age 89.
46. He still goes to the office to work on his foundation.
47. He believes that “cash flow” is the most important indicator of a company’s health.
48. He has visited the US often for medical checkups and business.
49. He is revered in his hometown of Chaozhou, where he funded a university (Shantou University).
50. He attributes his success to “luck, hard work, and good reputation.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Li Ka-shing?

Li Ka-shing is 97 years old (as of 2026).

Where was Li Ka-shing born?

He was born in Chaozhou, Guangdong, China.

When was Li Ka-shing born?

July 29, 1928.

Is Li Ka-shing the richest man in Hong Kong?

He held the title for many decades. While he occasionally trades places on the list, he remains one of the wealthiest and most influential individuals in Hong Kong.

How much is Li Ka-shing worth?

His estimated net worth is $40 billion.

What companies does Li Ka-shing own?

His main companies are CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Asset Holdings, which control ports, retail (A.S. Watson), infrastructure, and real estate.

Does Li Ka-shing have children?

Yes, he has two sons: Victor Li (who took over his business) and Richard Li (a telecom tycoon).

Is Li Ka-shing a British citizen?

He holds Canadian and Hong Kong citizenship. He previously held British Dependent Territories citizenship.

What happened to Li Ka-shing’s son?

His eldest son, Victor Li, was kidnapped in 1996 by a gangster. Li Ka-shing paid a massive ransom for his release.

What is Li Ka-shing’s nickname?

He is widely known as “Superman” in Hong Kong.