5 crazy rich Asian divas in Hong Kong who prove wealth means more than bling and Hermès Birkins – and are using their influence for good this International Women’s Day

If you were asked to name a few things Crazy Rich Asians care about, dollar signs, luxury goods and lucrative property investments might come top of your list. But some of the widely recognised moneyed elite have greater goals. Over the years, these inspiring women from different industries have been devoting their time, effort and resources to fund genuine change, and to address social issues from inequality to sustainability. In celebration of International Women’s Day, on March 8, we take a look at five Hong Kong divas making a difference with their money.

According to Forbes, Pansy Ho is one of Hong Kong’s 50 richest people in 2021. Performing several influential roles in her father Stanley Ho’s business – managing director of Shun Tak Holdings, and co-chairperson and executive director of MGM China Holdings to name just two – she makes thoughtful use of her annual earnings in support of well-known organisations including the Aids charity amfAR and the Our Hong Kong Foundation. Spreading a message of equal work opportunities and education for women via conferences, events and social media, she has often spoken out as not just an entrepreneur, but also the chairperson of the Hong Kong Federation of Women.

With an estimated net worth of HK$70 billion (US$9 billion), Kimbee Chan Hoi-wan doesn’t just shop for bling and Hermès birkins. In fact, she has been very active in her husband Joseph Lau’s charitable trust, and worked closely with different local organisations to secure as many resources as possible during Covid-19. Chan also invited her celebrity friends Sammi Cheng, Louis Koo and others to distribute care packages to the elderly and people with disabilities in 2020.