Hong Kong actress Josie Ho reveals modest inheritance from casino tycoon father Stanley Ho

Hong Kong actress Josie Ho at the New York Asian Film Festival in July 2024. Photo from Josie's Instagram

Sinchew reported that during an appearance on a Taiwanese variety show to promote her new film, Josie shared that she was given a certain amount when her family divided the assets.

When the host jokingly inquired, "At least HKD10 billion (US$1.2 billion), right?" Josie simply smiled.

The host continued, asking, "So, around HKD20 billion?" Josie shook her head, explaining that the actual amount was far less than people might think, and added, "The money is just enough for me to produce a few films."

Josie mentioned that she invested her inheritance in films, but without success: "My sister, Pansy Ho, advised me against making films, as the investments consistently ended in losses."

The actress and producer also mentioned that her share of the inheritance was smaller than her siblings' because she didn’t contribute much to the family business. However, she harbors no resentment, saying, "My sister and younger brother worked hard for the family, so I believe the division was fair."

While the Ho family's corporation remains active in the casino and real estate sectors, Josie has pursued a career as a producer, director, and actress. In another appearance on the television show "A Date with Luyu," Josie elaborated on her decision to distance herself from the family business in order to follow her own passions.

This choice allowed her to lead an easy and comfortable life from childhood through adulthood, supported by her father, sister, and brother. In contrast, she noted, her sister Pansy had to endure significant work-related stress, and her brother Lawrence shouldered the responsibility of maintaining the family’s wealth.

Josie embarked on her acting career in 1994. She married Conroy Chan, a 52-year-old actor in 2003 in Australia. The couple founded a film production company in 2007 and have chosen not to have children.

Her father Stanley passed away in 2020 at the age of 99. In 2019, Bloomberg estimated Stanley’s net worth to be around US$14.9 billion, ranking him as the 17th wealthiest individual in Asia at the time. After his death, the majority of his fortune was allocated among his daughter Pansy, his fourth spouse Angela Leong, and his son Lawrence.