Stanley Ho remains the celebrated linchpin of ingenuity to manifold business people and gamblers. He earned the title “The King of Gambling” because of the well-crafted casino empire he fashioned in Macau and many other significant locations across the globe. Despite his demise, at the age of 98, he very much remains etched in the hearts of gamblers crowned as their eulogized icon, paving the trails of an incredible legacy.
The Celebrated Cousins Bruce Lee and Ho
Their relationship can be traced back to Stanley Ho’s grandfather, the adopted uncle of Grace Ho Oi-yu. Who is this lady might be the question surfacing in your mind, but the answer is quite impactful? She is the mother of the legendary Bruce Lee.
While it is unclear how intimate they were as cousins, the “Enter the Dragon” star and “The King of Gambling” would have made an impactful duo at the kid’s table for family gatherings. This serves as a testament to the pedigree of Ho’s family.
Kicked-Off as a Smuggler in World War II
Similar to Art Vandelay, the fictional character from the show Seinfeld, the genesis of Ho’s career as a smuggler. The inception of his empire was built on smuggling during World War II between Macau and China.
Macau being a Portuguese colony, nurtured non-alignment with China, Japan, and Hong Kong. He was involved in snuggling luxury goods for the Chinese elites and amassed a fortune at a very young age of 24.
Opened a Casino in North Korea
He carved a title for him in the history of gambling, with his first casino being established in Macau in 1970. With the inception of Casino Lisboa, he enkindled an avant-garde and exclusive design to the gambling market in Macau, encouraging its growth as the concurrent gambling mecca. He soon transcended to being a casino tycoon with over 20 casinos.
This list surfaces the most secluded casino as well, the infamous Pyongyang Casino. This casino is located in the North Korean capital and houses only tourists, as there exist strict prohibition for citizens to indulge in gambling. This, along with another casino, are the only land-based casinos in the entire country. This casino has over 95% of visitors from China.
He Had Four Wives
His exuberant life extended its grip in his professional and personal life. When viewed through a mainstream lens, the rarity in his personal life is that he had four wives concurrently.
His first wife was Clementina Leitao in 1942, and they were bestowed with four children. He married his second wife, Lucina Laam, in 1957, and the couple had five children. They were titled as the Dancing King and Queen.
His third wife was Ina Chan, who came as a full-time nurse for Clementina, and they got married in 1985 and were blessed with three children. His fourth wife was a dance instructor named Angela Leoung; in 1998 with them having four children.