How Catherine Wu went from musician to adviser to Singapore’s 4th richest billionaire Kwek Leng Beng

Born in Taiwan, Wu is the only daughter among seven children, she told Lee in a talk show episode that aired in November 2024., as reported by The Straits Times.

Her mother ran a kindergarten for over 50 years, and her eldest brother, Wu Ching-kuo, 78, is a former president of the International Boxing Association and a former International Olympic Committee member.

Wu recalled that her parents placed a strong emphasis on education, hoping their children would contribute to society. She and her siblings collectively hold six doctoral degrees, including her own in music education.

Concerned that growing up with brothers would make her too boyish, her parents encouraged her to pursue music. "They felt that music could help cultivate a girl’s temperament," she told Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao in an August 2024 interview.

At 15, Wu enrolled in the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. While studying in the U.S., she nearly gave up music but was mentored by a Juilliard School graduate, which helped her gain admission to the prestigious institution.

After earning her doctorate from New York University, she returned to Taiwan, entering the music industry through a friend's connection. In 1990, Wu released her first piano album and appeared on TV to promote it.

She also hosted the music show "Music From The Heart," which ran for over 700 episodes in the early 1990s and featured Taiwanese artists such as Power Station, Ukulele, and Julia Peng. Her efforts to popularize classical music earned her a spot among Taiwan’s "Ten Outstanding Young Women" in 1994.

Catherine Wu and Kwek Leng Beng at the GEEKCON 2024 International in Singapore. Photo courtesy of GEEKCON

Wu moved to Singapore after meeting Kwek at a family gathering in 1992, which she described as similar to a job interview. During the meeting, Kwek quizzed her on politics, economics, and music, before asking if she would consider relocating.

Initially, Wu researched properties for Kwek and gradually learned about hotel management. She recalled one task where Kwek asked her to analyze data on three hotel acquisitions and recommend the best investment.

After the Covid pandemic, Wu developed an interest in cybersecurity. She was poised to enter the field in 2020, but the pandemic delayed her plans. In 2023, she seized the opportunity and introduced the GeekCon International Cybersecurity Conference to Singapore. According to The Business Times, Kwek fully supports the event and serves as its honorary consultant.

Wu has since become a key figure in the ongoing feud between Kwek and his son Sherman Kwek after the latter called her the "primary reason" behind the dispute.

On February 25, Kwek, 84, sued Sherman, the CEO of City Developments Limited, and several board members, accusing them of governance lapses and an "attempted coup" to consolidate control.

In a statement regarding the feud, Sherman pointed the finger at Dr. Wu, his father’s long-time adviser, accusing her of being the underlying cause behind the dispute.

"(She) has been interfering in matters going well beyond her scope, and she wields and exercises enormous influence," he said, adding that efforts to handle matters sensitively were unsuccessful due to Wu’s "long relationship" with his father.