New Shangri-La Asia CEO & Mum Of 3: 8 Things To Know About Kuok Hui Kwong

If the name Kuok Hui Kwong doesn’t immediately ring a bell, you’re not alone. As the daughter of Richard Kuok — Malaysia’s richest man and founder of the iconic Shangri-La brand — she’s long maintained a low profile. But all that changed just weeks ago when the 47-year-old was announced as the new CEO of Shangri-La Asia, instantly putting her in the spotlight. What also grabbed attention — her monthly base salary of an eyewatering HK$576,000 (approx. S$94,300), topped with a discretionary bonus and pension benefits.

The sixth of tycoon Robert Kuok’s eight children, Kuok Hui Kwong has also slowly gotten attention on social media, sharing snippets of her life on Xiaohongshu, where she has amassed 415K followers (at the time of writing). From boardroom boss to hands-on mum, here’s what to know about her.

1. She’s a Harvard graduate and has an impressive resume

 A Harvard graduate in East Asian Studies, she’s been Shangri-La Asia’s executive director since 2016 and chairwoman since 2017, overseeing the group’s global portfolio of over 100 hotels and managing assets worth US$13.2 billion. But before joining the family business full-time, she cut her teeth as a financial analyst at JPMorgan Chase and was also previously the managing director and CEO of SCMP Group, which publishes the South China Morning Post.

In 2018, she was recognised by Forbes Asia as one of the “25 Emerging Asian Women.” Fast forward to last year, and she landed the 40th spot on Fortune magazine’s list of the 100 most powerful women in Asia. And in July 2025, she added another major milestone to her resume — she was named CEO of Shangri-La Asia.

2. She has a close relationship with her father

In a post on Xiaohongshu, she shared that her dad Robert Kuok, who turns 101 years old in 2025, seldom asks her when she is coming home for dinner, aware of her demanding schedule. Despite this, she knows that he wishes to spend time with her.

She’s also full of admiration for her father. “One of my father’s best traits is how sincere he is to others,” says Ms Kuok. She recalls a trip to New York with him, where he became fast friends with a cab driver they met. At the end of the ride, the driver refused payment, feeling that he had already become old friends with Mr Kuok.

3. She’s a mum of three

The 47-year-old is married to Bryan Gaw, and the two are parents to three children. According to Icon Singapore, he is the grandson of Hong Kong’s “instant noodle king”, Zhou Wenxuan.

To her, the role of a mum is one of the most important in a child’s life — equal parts nutritionist, moral guide, and constant companion. “It’s not something that can be done in one or two years; it’s a long-term commitment,” she adds. And to show up fully, she believes mums need to take care of their own physical and mental well-being too. “Kids are very sensitive. If they feel that you’re anxious or overwhelmed, they pick up on it right away.”

4. No screens at her dinner table, please

Here’s one that many mums will relate to. In her home, mobile phones are a no-go at the dinner table, so that everyone can communicate and keep up with each other’s day, without digital devices getting in the way. “What they need is your company and the time you spend with them,” she says.

She believes that kids today already have plenty of material gifts. For her, the greatest gift she can give her children is simply being present. “Whenever I look back on my own childhood, my best memories growing up were the moments spent with my parents,” she shares. Born in Malaysia and raised in Hong Kong, those memories clearly made a lasting impression.

5. On her marriage

She cites her husband as one of her biggest supporters during challenging times, describing him as someone who ‘ai wu ji wu’ — that he loves her family as much as he loves her. In fact, he’s often the one who steps up when she’s too busy, like having dinner with her parents when she can’t make it.

She recalls how he had already picked out a birthday gift for her mother — complete with a card — and then asked if she wanted to add her signature. “Honestly, I should be the one writing my own cards, even if we pretend the gift comes from both of us,” she laughs.

She’s clear about one thing, though: relationships need constant care and nurturing. “No matter how hectic life gets, you’ve got to carve out time and really invest in your marriage,” she says.

6. Her favourite Singapore food spots

Whenever Kuok Hui Kwong visits Singapore with her kids, there’s one thing at the top of her list — food. “Singapore has a very diverse culture, a melting pot for the different characteristics of China, South-east Asia and India, making up a cuisine culture that’s unique to the country,” she says.

Her must-have? The dosai (a thin crepe-like dish from South India made from fermented batter of rice and lentils) from Komala Vilas, a restaurant that serves Indian vegetarian cuisine. She also stops by Ming Kee Chicken Rice in Bishan for its ice-chilled chicken, praising its skin for being soft and tender. Other top picks include the hearty bowls at Song Fa Bak Kut Teh and Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice.

And when it comes to breakfast, she’s a fan of Ah Cheng Hainanese Coffee in Amoy Street Food Centre.

7. She champions sustainable living

While disposable tableware is more convenient, it is harmful to the planet, she says. “The rate of our product consumption keeps increasing... At this rate, we might need to find a new planet to live on,” she says in a post on her eco-friendly habits to help protect the environment.

One of her go-to practices — bringing along a glass lunch box to pack leftovers when dining out so no takeaway containers are needed. She adds that she carries her own water bottle, whether she’s at the movies or out hiking, to cut down on single-use plastics. Small steps, big impact.

8. She’s a tote bag fan

While others are flaunting Birkins and other designer arm candy, Kuok Hui Kwong is here rocking a sizeable collection of tote bags, and she’s not shy about showing them off on Xiaohongshu. “I prefer using canvas tote bags because they can be washed and kept clean, so I don’t have to worry about them getting dirty,” she said.

Her tote bag collection features many different designs, from a playful favourite she picked up in France that has “Life is pain” playfully printed on it, a pun on pain au chocolat (French for chocolate croissant) to keepsakes from the various museums she’s visited with her kids.