Her moving tribute was featured in a memorial exhibition honoring Lee, who passed away on March 17 at age 97. The five-day exhibition, held on April 28, showcased letters, photographs, and personal keepsakes from family members, according to Chinese media outlet QQ.
She recalled meeting Lee for the first time at a Chinese restaurant in the UK while dining with his youngest son, Martin Lee—her future husband. During the meal, Lee offered her the softest, boneless piece of fish, a gesture that reminded her of her own parents’ love and left a lasting impression.
Having spent much of her early life overseas, Cathy admitted she initially lacked a strong connection to Chinese traditions. But Lee inspired her to rediscover her cultural roots. She even sought help from a teacher while crafting her tribute letter.
One memory that resonated with Cathy was a family trip to Hawaii. When her children were afraid to swim with dolphins, Lee Shau Kee led by example, jumping into the water himself. His guidance helped the children conquer their fears, a lesson in bravery in front of the unknown.
She also recalled Lee’s thoughtful gesture after the loss of her beloved pet. During a trip to Japan, he surprised her with a puppy resembling the one she had lost—an act that helped her heal.
To Cathy, Lee was more than a business titan. She described him as a humble man who performed countless acts of generosity without ever seeking credit. She said she only came to fully understand his profound impact after his death, adding that his true legacy lay in the love and values he passed down, not in his immense fortune.
At the end of the letter, Cathy said she dearly missed her father-in-law, and that it was her greatest joy to be able to live with his family.
Her husband Martin Lee also penned a tribute, expressing admiration for his father’s values and even wishing to be his father in another life, just to care for him as deeply as he had been cared for.
Peter Lee, Lee’s eldest son, shared a personal story from decades earlier. After their grandfather’s death, Peter dismissed a group of monks for making a mistake during a chanting ceremony. Lee later pulled him aside, pointing out how that decision might have affected the monks’ livelihoods. Peter said he had long forgotten the moment but was reminded of it during the funeral, seeing it as a reflection of his father’s compassion and fairness.
Born in 1982, Cathy Chui came from a wealthy family. She and her husband Martin Lee has four children: two boys and two girls. Cathy often received extravagant gifts from her husband and father-in-law after each childbirth, including diamond rings, luxury properties and yachts.
She remains the only daughter-in-law in the family. Peter Lee never married after a failed relationship and later chose surrogacy in the U.S., raising three sons. In total, Lee Shau-kee had two sons and three daughters.
Born in 1928 in Guangdong, China, Lee moved to Hong Kong in his 20s, where he built one of the most formidable real estate empires in Asia. As of February, Forbes estimated his net worth at nearly $30 billion, making him the second-richest man in Hong Kong, just behind fellow Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka Shing.
