PodcastsJan 21, 2026
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MajorsOct 04, 2016
The ‘King of Jewelry’ in Asia Dead at 91
Billionaire Cheng Yu-tung, who made Chow Tai Fook a household name, died last week after suffering a debilitating brain hemorrhage four years ago.
Hong Kong--Cheng Yu-tung, the man responsible for the widespread success of Asian jewelry chain Chow Tai Fook and founder of property group New World Development Co. Ltd., died on Thursday, the company announced, as reported by Reuters.
Cheng was 91. Four years prior, he relinquished control of his companies to son Henry Cheng after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
“He had spent the past four years in bed. He was unconscious,” said the younger Cheng to reporters.
Cheng was reported to be worth more than $16 billion, making him the third-richest man in Hong Kong.
The South China Morning Post noted that in Asia, Cheng was “known as the king of jewelry.”
Chow Tai Fook was launched in 1929 by Chow Chi Yuen. Cheng worked for Chow and eventually married Chow’s daughter; the couple had four children.
Cheng grew Chow Tai Fook to become Asia’s largest luxury jeweler. The company’s website lists 2,305 points of sale. It is also the owner of Boston-based jewelry brand Hearts On Fire, which it acquired in 2014.
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