Billionaire Profile
Michael Kadoorie
Global Rank
#475

Image: fklv (Obsolete hipster) from near le Mans, France | CC BY-SA 2.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Michael Kadoorie

CEO, Hotels
HONG KONG
Real-Time Net Worth
$7.733B
Estimated based on Hotels stock value as of March 6, 2026
+1.33% (24h)
Age
84
Source
Hotels, energy
Industry
Service
Citizenship
HONG KONG

Biography

Sir Michael David Kadoorie is a Hong Kong billionaire businessman and philanthropist, with an estimated net worth of $8.9 billion. His primary sources of wealth are hotels and energy. He is the Chairman of CLP Holdings Ltd., the largest electricity producer in Hong Kong, and also chairs The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, which owns the Peninsula Hotel Group. His career spans decades of leadership in both the utility and hospitality sectors. Kadoorie's achievements include his role in expanding CLP Holdings' operations and overseeing the global growth of the Peninsula Hotels. He is known for his commitment to philanthropy and his support of various charitable initiatives.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 3/6/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Michael Kadoorie was born in Hong Kong in 1941 to the Jewish Kadoorie family. His father, Lawrence Kadoorie, was a business tycoon. He received his education at Kowloon Junior School in Hong Kong and later at Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland. The Kadoorie family has a long history in the Far East, with roots tracing back to Baghdad and later to Shanghai.

Rise to Success

Michael Kadoorie's career has been marked by his leadership in significant companies. He is the Chairman of CLP Holdings Ltd., which his family founded in 1890. CLP Holdings provides electricity to 75% of Hong Kong. Additionally, he chairs The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, owners of the Peninsula Hotel Group.

Key Business Strategies

Kadoorie's business strategies include maintaining a balance between corporate professionalism and family-guided stability. Under his leadership, CLP has expanded its operations, and The Peninsula Hotels has grown globally. He has also focused on renewable energy development through the CLP Research Institute.

Philanthropy

Michael Kadoorie is known for his commitment to philanthropy, with his Kadoorie Charitable Foundation supporting various causes. The foundation has aided over a million people in Nepal, supported the Nepali community of former Gurkhas in Hong Kong and has funded hospitality training schemes. He also initiated the Sir Horace Kadoorie Youth Development Centre for Hospitality in Shanghai.

Career Milestones

1985

Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels

Assumed chairmanship, overseeing the global expansion of the Peninsula Hotels.

1997

Chairman of CLP Holdings

Appointed Chairman, leading the company's growth as Hong Kong's largest electricity producer.

2005

Knighted

Awarded a knighthood by the Queen, recognizing his contributions.

2004

Honorary Doctorate

Awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Hong Kong.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education, Community Development

Kadoorie Charitable Foundation

$XB

Supporting educational and agricultural projects in Nepal and India, as well as providing support for the Nepali community of former Gurkhas in Hong Kong.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

""We've always had wonderfully agile and energetic people here in Hong Kong, and we should never underrate that at times when one's a little depressed.""

Leadership Principles

Long-term vision

Focusing on sustainable growth and planning for future challenges.

Commitment to Philanthropy

Using wealth to support various charitable initiatives and improve communities.

Family-guided Stability

Maintaining family values while managing large-scale business operations.