11 Infamous Family Fortune Feuds From Stanley Ho To Michael Jackson
These families give the phrase "a battle of wills" new meaning
By Tan Gin Yee -
On May 26, 2020, Macau casino tycoon and one of Asia's richest men, Stanley Ho, passed away at the age of 98. Known as the "King of Gambling", the self-made billionaire was best known for transforming Macau into one of the world's biggest gambling destinations. When he retired in 2018, his personal fortune was an estimated US$6.4 billion (S$8.9 billion).
With the wealth he amassed, it is no surprise that there were disputes in the family over his fortune. It famously started in 2009, when Stanley suffered a head injury and had to be hospitalised for seven months. At that time, false media reports claimed that he had actually died. These reports heavily emphasised that he had not revealed his plans to delegate his fortune to the family. And so a long winded inheritance dispute began, lasting a few years and topping media headlines.
With his death, he is survived by three wives, 14 children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Amongst claims and counter claims of Stanley being coerced to divide his assets a certain way back in 2009, many are wondering how his vast inheritance will be divided among his family now that he has passed.
Disputes over inheritance seem to be universal as many of the world's rich and famous have been involved in highly publicised family feuds. Check out 10 more below: