Who Is Robert Kuok? Age, Biography and Wiki
Robert Kuok, born on October 6, 1923, is a prominent Malaysian billionaire and business magnate. As of 2025, he is 101 years old. Kuok is widely known for his remarkable contribution to the sugar, palm oil, and hospitality industries in Malaysia and beyond. He founded the Kuok Group, which has diversified interests across various sectors. His entrepreneurial spirit and strategic business acumen have made him a vital figure in Southeast Asia’s economic landscape.
| Occupation | Billionaire |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 6, 1923 |
| Age | 101 Years |
| Birth Place | Johor Bahru, Johor, Unfederated Malay States, British Malaya (now Malaysia) |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | Malaysia |
Popularity
Robert Kuok's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
At 101 years old, Robert Kuok's current physical statistics aren't widely reported; however, he has always been characterized by his sharp intellect and poise, which have certainly contributed to his successful business endeavors rather than his physical attributes.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Robert Kuok is known to be a private individual when it comes to his personal life. He is married to Puan Sri Lee Suet Fun, and together they have three children. The couple has maintained a low public profile, focusing more on their family and business ventures than on media visibility. There haven’t been any confirmed reports regarding Kuok's romantic interests outside of marriage, emphasizing his commitment to family.
He was named after Robert the Bruce, and was enrolled at an English-medium primary school by his father's English-speaking clerk.
Kuok's father Kuok Keng Kang arrived in British Malaya from Fuzhou (Hokchew), Fujian Province, China, at the beginning of the 20th century, and Robert was the youngest of three brothers born to Kuok Keng Kang and Robert's mother Zheng Ge Ru.
He grew up speaking his parents' Fuzhou dialect, English and later Japanese during the Japanese occupation of Malaya in World War II.
He also studied at English College Johore Bahru for his secondary education and later at Raffles Institution in Singapore where he was classmates with Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore and the country's first prime minister.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Robert Kuok's net worth is estimated to be around $12 billion, making him one of the richest individuals in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. His earnings are primarily derived from his vast business interests, including sugar production, real estate, and investments in hospitality and agriculture. Kuok's ability to adapt and respond to market changes has played a crucial role in enhancing his wealth over the years.
Robert Kuok Hock Nien, better known as Robert Kuok, (born 6 October 1923) is a Malaysian business magnate, investor and philanthropist based in Hong Kong since 1973. According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at $11.8 billion as of April 2023, making him the wealthiest Malaysian citizen and 96th wealthiest person in the world.
As of April 2023, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2023, Kuok has an estimated net worth of $17.7 billion, making him the 97th richest person in the world.
Career, Business and Investments
Robert Kuok began his career in the sugar industry in 1949, establishing the Kuok Group, which expanded over the decades into various sectors including hotels, palm oil, and logistics. His flagship company, Wilmar International, has become one of the largest agribusiness groups in Asia. Kuok is also known for his investments in Shangri-La Hotels and his philanthropy efforts focused on education and social welfare.
According to Kuok himself, he began his business career as an office boy, and later started a business from scratch with financial backing coming from his relatives.
Upon graduation, he became a collaborator and worked as a clerk in the rice-trading department of Japanese industrial conglomerate Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha during the Japanese occupation period between 1942 and 1945, in Singapore, a conglomerate that with the help of Japanese military unit monopolized the rice trade in Malaya during the occupation p
eriod.
He was soon promoted to head the rice-trading department. After the war, he took the skills he learned from the occupying force to the family's business in Johor.
Social Network
Robert Kuok prefers to keep a low profile, avoiding direct engagement on social media platforms. However, his business achievements and significant impact on both the Malaysian and global economy are frequently discussed across various business networks and media outlets. His legacy continues to inspire budding entrepreneurs and established business leaders alike.
In 1971, he built the first Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore; with land acquired through Petaling Garden Berhad, a Malaysian based developer. His first foray into Hong Kong property was in 1977, when he acquired a plot of land on the newly reclaimed Tsim Sha Tsui East waterfront, where he built his second hotel, the Kowloon Shangri-La.
In 1993, his Kerry Group acquired a 34.9% stake in the South China Morning Post from Murdoch's News Corporation. Kuok officially retired from the Kerry Group on 1 April 1993.
Education
Information regarding Robert Kuok’s education reveals that he attended Raffles College in Singapore before beginning his career in business. His educational background contributed to his foundational understanding of commerce, which he later transformed into a successful business empire.
