Pansy Ho
Encyclopedia
Pansy Catalina Ho Chiu-king (born on 26 August 1962) is the daughter of Hong Kong
and Macau
-based businessman Stanley Ho
, and the managing director of various companies he founded, including Shun Tak Holdings
and the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau
.
with a degree in marketing and business. She married Julian Hui, son of shipping magnate Hui Sai-fun, in 1991; the marriage lasted nine years. Late in their marriage, both began seeking other relationships; Ho entered into a relationship with Gilbert Yeung, the son of her father's hospitality and entertainment industry competitor Albert Yeung
. However, Gilbert Yeung's arrest for drug possession in August 2000 at Ho's birthday party focused unwanted media attention on Ho and her relationship with him; Ho's father also made comments in interviews threatening to disown her if she married him. This led to the end of Ho's relationship with Yeung, and also the public announcement that she and Hui would be seeking a divorce.
Her father,Stanley Ho, was also named by the Canadian Government
, citing the
Manila Standard
newspaper, as having a link to the Kung Lok Triad (Chinese mafia) and as being linked to 'several illegal activities' during the period 1999–2002. Ho's ties to Chinese organised crime have also been reported by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, citing a U.S. Senate committee and several government agencies, when the state investigated his ties to American casino operator MGM Mirage
.
, who himself had then just been in the industry for two years, in the TVB
series Breakthrough (突破). Later, at age 26, she would launch her own public relations
firm. She also supported her sister Josie Ho
's efforts to establish her own singing career in the early 1990s over the objection of their father.
Ho owns 29% of the MGM Grand Macau
, an association which has proven controversial for business partner MGM Mirage
. Nevada
's Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission
held extensive hearings in March 2007 on the matter of MGM's partnership with Ho, after which they found that she was a suitable business partner. However, in March 2010, she was barred from running a gaming business in New Jersey
due to state gaming regulators'
conclusion that her father has "extensive ties" to organised crime
, and MGM Mirage
was ordered to "disengage itself from any business association" with her.
in Providence
, Rhode Island
awarded her an honorary
doctorate of business administration
in May 2007. In April 2009, she was named Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Mérite
in a ceremony at the French consulate-general of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
-based businessman Stanley Ho
Stanley Ho
Stanley Ho, GBM, GLM, GBS, GML, OBE , also known as Ho Hung Sun, Stanley Ho Hung Sun, is an entrepreneur in Hong Kong and Macau. Ho is sometimes nicknamed "The King of Gambling", reflecting the government-granted monopoly he held of the Macau gambling industry for 40 years...
, and the managing director of various companies he founded, including Shun Tak Holdings
Shun Tak Holdings
Shun Tak Holdings Limited is a public company incorporated in 1972. It has been one of the constituents of the Hang Seng Hong Kong MidCap Index since 11 September 2006.The company's founder and executive chairman is Stanley Ho...
and the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau
Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau
The Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, SA is a company in Macau owned by Stanley Ho and his family. Historically it held a monopoly to Macau's gambling industry as the only licensee for casinos. In 2002, the Macau government began issuing more licenses and the monopoly was broken...
.
Personal life
Ho graduated from Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara University
Santa Clara University is a private, not-for-profit, Jesuit-affiliated university located in Santa Clara, California, United States. Chartered by the state of California and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, it operates in collaboration with the Society of Jesus , whose...
with a degree in marketing and business. She married Julian Hui, son of shipping magnate Hui Sai-fun, in 1991; the marriage lasted nine years. Late in their marriage, both began seeking other relationships; Ho entered into a relationship with Gilbert Yeung, the son of her father's hospitality and entertainment industry competitor Albert Yeung
Albert Yeung
Albert Yeung , born in 1944 with ancestry in Chaozhou, Guangdong, China, is a well known entrepreneur in Hong Kong. He is now the Chairman of Emperor Group.-Early years:...
. However, Gilbert Yeung's arrest for drug possession in August 2000 at Ho's birthday party focused unwanted media attention on Ho and her relationship with him; Ho's father also made comments in interviews threatening to disown her if she married him. This led to the end of Ho's relationship with Yeung, and also the public announcement that she and Hui would be seeking a divorce.
Her father,Stanley Ho, was also named by the Canadian Government
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
, citing the
Manila Standard
Manila Standard Today
The Manila Standard Today is the fourth-largest broadsheet newspaper in the Philippines as of 2006. Initially established as the Manila Standard, it merged with another newspaper of record, Today, on March 6, 2005...
newspaper, as having a link to the Kung Lok Triad (Chinese mafia) and as being linked to 'several illegal activities' during the period 1999–2002. Ho's ties to Chinese organised crime have also been reported by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, citing a U.S. Senate committee and several government agencies, when the state investigated his ties to American casino operator MGM Mirage
MGM Mirage
Not to be confused with the Las Vegas, Nevada based casino/resort operator Resorts International Holdings.MGM Resorts International is a Paradise, Nevada based corporation that brands itself as a global hospitality company. It is the second largest gaming company in the world by revenue - about...
.
Career
In 1981, Ho began a brief career in the Hong Kong entertainment industry, appearing with actor Danny ChanDanny Chan
Danny Chan Bak-keung was a 1980s cantopop singer, composer and actor in Hong Kong with origins in Taishan, Guangdong. Chan was of the first generation of pop idols in Hong Kong. He was already an electronic organ player, a songwriter, an actor and a promising singer at the beginning of his career...
, who himself had then just been in the industry for two years, in the TVB
Television Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
series Breakthrough (突破). Later, at age 26, she would launch her own public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
firm. She also supported her sister Josie Ho
Josie Ho
Josephine "Josie" Ho Chiu-Yi is a daughter of Macao casino magnate Stanley Ho, and a singer and actress from Hong Kong.-Movie career:She was involved in numerous movies, TV commercials, TV dramas, and singing performances....
's efforts to establish her own singing career in the early 1990s over the objection of their father.
Ho owns 29% of the MGM Grand Macau
MGM Grand Macau
MGM Macau is a 35-story, 600-room casino resort in Macau which officially opened on 18 December 2007. Under a sub concession approved by the Macau government, the project is owned and operated as a 50-50 joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Pansy Ho Chiu-king, daughter of Macau...
, an association which has proven controversial for business partner MGM Mirage
MGM Mirage
Not to be confused with the Las Vegas, Nevada based casino/resort operator Resorts International Holdings.MGM Resorts International is a Paradise, Nevada based corporation that brands itself as a global hospitality company. It is the second largest gaming company in the world by revenue - about...
. Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
's Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission
Nevada Gaming Commission
The Nevada Gaming Commission is a Nevada state governmental agency involved in the regulation of casinos throughout the state, along with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. It was founded in 1959 by the Nevada Legislature....
held extensive hearings in March 2007 on the matter of MGM's partnership with Ho, after which they found that she was a suitable business partner. However, in March 2010, she was barred from running a gaming business in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
due to state gaming regulators'
New Jersey Casino Control Commission
The Casino Control Commission is a New Jersey state governmental agency that was founded in 1977 as the state's gaming control board, responsible for administering the Casino Control Act and its regulations to assure public trust and confidence in the credibility and integrity of the casino...
conclusion that her father has "extensive ties" to organised crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
, and MGM Mirage
MGM Mirage
Not to be confused with the Las Vegas, Nevada based casino/resort operator Resorts International Holdings.MGM Resorts International is a Paradise, Nevada based corporation that brands itself as a global hospitality company. It is the second largest gaming company in the world by revenue - about...
was ordered to "disengage itself from any business association" with her.
Other activities
Ho serves as chairwoman of the French Macao Business Association. Johnson & Wales UniversityJohnson & Wales University
Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, co-educational, career-oriented university with four campuses located throughout the United States. Providence, Rhode Island, USA, is home to JWU's first and largest of four currently operating campuses. Founded as a business school in 1914, by...
in Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
awarded her an honorary
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
doctorate of business administration
Doctor of Business Administration
The degree of Doctor of Business Administration, abbreviated, or and equivalent to , is a research doctorate in business administration. The D.B.A...
in May 2007. In April 2009, she was named Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Mérite
Ordre National du Mérite
The Ordre national du Mérite is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle...
in a ceremony at the French consulate-general of Hong Kong.