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Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
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Hong Kong feng shui master deprived of Nina's fortune
Source: Agencies |
February 2, 2010, Tuesday
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Online Edition
Online Edition
A will leaving late Hong Kong tycoon Nina Wang's entire US$4 billion estate to her former lover and feng shui master was declared a forgery today and the money will instead go to charity.
Wang, known as "Little Sweetie", was one of Asia's wealthiest women with a business empire which included the Chinachem Group, Hong Kong's largest private property developer. She died of cancer in 2007 aged 69.
After her death, former lover Tony Chan revealed a 2006 will which bequeathed Wang's estate to him, contradicting an earlier will in 2002 which left the fortune to the Chinachem Charitable Foundation.
The high court described Wang and Chan as having a "relationship", but said it could not have led to the tycoon leaving him all her money.
"The court does not believe the relationship was such that Nina was prepared to give her entire estate irrespective of her other commitments and responsibilities," the court said in a summary of the judgment.
It ruled the 2006 will was a forgery and that signatures on that document which purported to belong to Wang and a witness were "highly skilled simulation(s)".
"The court finds that he lied and withheld relevant information from the court regarding the circumstances leading to the preparation of the document," the court judgment said.
Wang was dubbed "Little Sweetie" after a Japanese manga cartoon character and was known for her trademark braided pig-tails, mini-skirts and giggly persona.
Her brother, Kung Yan-sum, said the family would leave it to the government to decide if any action should be taken against Chan, whose lawyer said he would appeal.
"If they investigate, of course we will support, we are good citizens," Kung said. "If there is a criminal element, the government will do something. I believe in the rule of law."
The Shanghai-born Wang inherited most of her wealth from her husband, Teddy, who was kidnapped in 1990 and never seen alive again, despite the payment of a US$33 million ransom.
Wang later fought an acrimonious legal battle with her nonagenarian father-in-law amid claims of adultery and murder. She finally wrested control of Teddy's estate in 2005.
Wang, known as "Little Sweetie", was one of Asia's wealthiest women with a business empire which included the Chinachem Group, Hong Kong's largest private property developer. She died of cancer in 2007 aged 69.
After her death, former lover Tony Chan revealed a 2006 will which bequeathed Wang's estate to him, contradicting an earlier will in 2002 which left the fortune to the Chinachem Charitable Foundation.
The high court described Wang and Chan as having a "relationship", but said it could not have led to the tycoon leaving him all her money.
"The court does not believe the relationship was such that Nina was prepared to give her entire estate irrespective of her other commitments and responsibilities," the court said in a summary of the judgment.
It ruled the 2006 will was a forgery and that signatures on that document which purported to belong to Wang and a witness were "highly skilled simulation(s)".
"The court finds that he lied and withheld relevant information from the court regarding the circumstances leading to the preparation of the document," the court judgment said.
Wang was dubbed "Little Sweetie" after a Japanese manga cartoon character and was known for her trademark braided pig-tails, mini-skirts and giggly persona.
Her brother, Kung Yan-sum, said the family would leave it to the government to decide if any action should be taken against Chan, whose lawyer said he would appeal.
"If they investigate, of course we will support, we are good citizens," Kung said. "If there is a criminal element, the government will do something. I believe in the rule of law."
The Shanghai-born Wang inherited most of her wealth from her husband, Teddy, who was kidnapped in 1990 and never seen alive again, despite the payment of a US$33 million ransom.
Wang later fought an acrimonious legal battle with her nonagenarian father-in-law amid claims of adultery and murder. She finally wrested control of Teddy's estate in 2005.
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