Lily Ho’s Extraordinary Journey: From Enduring 43 Years as a Co-Wife to Claiming a 959 million USD Fortune

In 1972, a unique film was released in Hong Kong, exploring love, betrayal, and complex relationships between two female leads, with both same-sex and heterosexual love elements.

Lily Ho, a Hong Kong beauty, played one of the leads. While her character was soft-hearted towards her enemy, in real life, she endured her husband’s 43-year affair with a mistress, quietly tolerating it to inherit a 1.03 billion USD fortune. Known as the “strongest first wife,” Lily Ho is considered an ideal woman for her ruthless self-discipline and success.

Willing To ‘Strip’ To Feed Her Family

Lily Ho, born in 1946 in Jiangxi Province, China, moved to Taipei at age two. As her family’s financial situation worsened due to declining welfare in Taipei, she acted in films to support them and quickly rose to fame.

In an era where even a kiss was considered a hot scene, Lily Ho starred in the film “The Knight of Knights,” where she became famous by undressing on screen.

During the filming, the director told Lily Ho, “If you don’t accept the ‘semi-nude’ scene, you can leave now.” She immediately agreed to do the scene. As a result, the actress not only became famous thanks to this film but was also invited by many directors to act in films.

How Lily Ho’s Heart Was Won: The Unlikely Love Story

When young heir George Chao (Chao Tse Kwong), the son of a Hong Kong shipping tycoon, pursued Lily Ho, she remained uninterested despite his six years of extravagant courtship. Lily Ho believed it was just a fleeting interest.

However, fate had other plans. During a film shoot, a prop lamp fell on Lily Ho’s head, and George Chao rushed to shield her. This “hero saving the beauty” moment, though cliché, proved effective. After Lily Ho recovered, George Chao proposed once again, and this time, she accepted.

Living As a Co-wife For More Than Half a Lifetime

After marriage, Lily Ho focused on family and appeared less on screen. However, her husband, George Chao, soon grew bored and started seeing younger women, the first being former Miss Asia, Tan Yu Mei. George Chao tried to hide the affair, but Tan Guo Mai flaunted it publicly. When Lily Ho confronted her husband, he promised to end it but continued the affair, even offering her 138,000 USD for a divorce.

Realizing the impact on their four children, Lily Ho chose to suppress Tan Yu Mei instead, outdoing her with extravagant gifts and showing tolerance in public. Meanwhile, she built her own business empire. George Chao’s lifestyle led to poor health and a stroke in 2004, with Tan Yu Mei abandoning him. Soon after, another rival, Cheng Xiu Li, emerged. This beauty was said to be more competitive than Tan Yumei, having given George Chao both a son and a daughter. However, Lily Ho had already prepared to ensure that her husband’s illegitimate children would not claim the family fortune.

Strategic Triumph Over Rivals and Inheritance Battles

During George Chao’s time bedridden, Lily Ho transferred all the family assets to their eldest daughter, Sabrina Chao, ensuring that despite Cheng Xiu Li’s children being recognized, they would not inherit the fortune. After George Chao’s death in 2016, Lily Ho, though grieving, was soon confronted with Liu Yuan Yuan, his former secretary. Liu Yuan Yuan had persuaded George Chao to transfer approximately 687,000 USD and three companies to her before his death.

Lily Ho remained calm and decided to sue. The lawsuit dragged on for five years as Lily Ho discreetly dismantled the companies George Chao had promised. In the end, Liu Yuan Yuan, unable to cover the legal fees, withdrew her lawsuit, leaving with nothing.

Lily Ho overcame all obstacles and was finally able to enjoy her old age. Her children now control the Chao family’s wealth, which amounts to 959 million USD.

In her marriage to George Chao, Lily Ho played the role of a loving wife at home, and as a generous and tolerant “first wife” in public. Though she ended up inheriting the enormous fortune, it was at odds with her lifelong desire to love just one person.