Who Is Lee Teng-hui? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on January 15, 1923, Lee Teng-hui served as the President of Taiwan from 1988 to 2000, marking a transformative era in Taiwanese politics. Renowned for his contributions to Taiwan’s democratization, Lee's legacy has continued to influence the island’s political landscape well into 2025. At the age of 102, Lee remains a significant figure in discussions surrounding Taiwan's sovereignty and identity.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 15, 1923 |
| Age | 97 Years |
| Birth Place | Sanshi, Taihoku Prefecture, Japanese Taiwan |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Date of death | 30 July, 2020 |
| Died Place | Beitou, Taipei, Taiwan |
Popularity
Lee Teng-hui's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm)
- Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
- Body Measurements: Although specific measurements aren't publicly available, Lee has maintained a relatively athletic build throughout his life, reflecting his active lifestyle and dedication to health.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Lee Teng-hui was married to his late wife, Chen Cheng-hui, until her passing in 2007. The couple had several children together, who continue to play roles in political and civil society within Taiwan. As of 2025, Lee is focused on familial ties, often seen with his children and grandchildren, preserving the familial values he upheld during his presidency.
He was of Yongding, Tingzhou Hakka descent. As a child, he often dreamed of traveling abroad, and became an avid stamp collector. Growing up under Japanese colonial rule, he developed a strong interest in Japan. He was given his Japanese name, Iwasato Masao (岩里政男) by his father.
Lee's father was a middle-level Japanese police aide, and his elder brother, Lee Teng-chin (李登欽), who was also known as in Japanese, joined the colony's police academy and soon volunteered for the Imperial Japanese Navy and died in Manila.
Lee—one of only four Taiwanese students in his class at Taihoku Higher School, the only higher school (preparatory schools for the Imperial Universities) in Japanese Taiwan—graduated with honors and was given a scholarship to Japan's Kyoto Imperial University.
Net Worth and Salary
Lee Teng-hui's net worth is estimated to be around $1 million in 2025. While he has been primarily known for his political career, he also engaged in various speaking engagements and authored several books that reflect his political philosophy. His pension as a former president contributes to his income, but his wealth reflects his modest lifestyle and values rather than excessive material accumulation.
In August 2001, Lee said of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's controversial visit to Yasukuni Shrine, "It is natural for a premier of a country to commemorate the souls of people who lost their lives for their country." In a May 2007 trip to Japan, Lee visited the shrine himself to pay tribute to his elder brother.
Controversy rose because the shrine also enshrines World War II Class A criminals among the other soldiers.
Career, Business, and Investments
Lee's political career began in the 1940s, and he rose through various governmental roles before becoming Taiwan's first democratically elected president. His presidency was marked by significant reforms such as the lifting of martial law and the first direct elections for legislative representatives. Post-presidency, Lee has remained an influential voice in promoting Taiwan's identity on the global stage, often participating in conferences and seminars focused on democracy and governance.
Aside from politics, Lee has engaged in a few investments related to educational foundations and social enterprises focusing on culture and heritage preservation.
In the mid-1960s, Lee returned to the United States, and earned a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Cornell University in 1968. His advisor was John Williams Mellor.
His doctoral dissertation, Intersectoral Capital Flows in the Economic Development of Taiwan, 1895–1960 (published as a book under the same name) was honored as the year's best doctoral thesis by the American Association of Agricultural Economics and remains an influential work on Taiwan's economy during the Japanese and early KMT periods.
Social Network
Though Lee is less active on social media platforms typical of younger generations, he is known to have a respectful online presence. His influence can be seen in forums discussing Taiwan’s history and politics, where his speeches and writings are often quoted. Many political activists and scholars reference his insights as a cornerstone of Taiwan’s democratic evolution.
During his school days, he learned kendo and bushido. A lifelong collector of books, Lee was heavily influenced by Japanese thinkers like Nitobe Inazō and Kitaro Nishida in Kyoto. In 1944, he too volunteered for service in the Imperial Japanese Army and became a second lieutenant, in command of an anti-aircraft gun in Taiwan.
He was ordered back to Japan in 1945 and participated in the clean-up after the Great Tokyo Air Raid of March 1945. Lee stayed in Japan after the surrender and graduated from Kyoto Imperial University in 1946.
Education
Lee Teng-hui completed his undergraduate studies in Agricultural Economics at National Taiwan University and later pursued a doctorate in the United States at Cornell University. His educational background has significantly impacted his approach to governance, emphasizing the importance of education and economic development in societal progress.
Before entering politics, Lee was an agricultural scientist who earned a master's degree from Iowa State University and a PhD from Cornell University in the United States.
During his presidency, Lee oversaw the end of martial law and the full democratization of the ROC, advocated the Taiwanese localization movement, and initiated foreign policy agenda to gain allies all over the world. Lee was credited as the president who completed Taiwan's democratic transition.
