We knew that this day would come but that doesn’t lessen our unspeakable sadness – Pansy Ho

In a press conference held shortly after his official death, the family of Stanley Ho confirmed that the Macau gaming tycoon at passed away at around 1:00 pm today (Tuesday) at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital (HKSA).

Most of the wives and children of the founder of gaming operator SJM Holdings Ltd and conglomerate Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, SA (STDM) met the press shortly outside HKSA this afternoon today, including his daughter, Pansy Ho Chiu King.

“The family of Stanley Ho today, with a very heavy heart, announced that [Ho] passed away peacefully at the age of 98 at around 1:00 pm today at HKSA,” she told the reporters.

“Even though we knew that this day would come, it doesn’t lessen our unspeakable sadness.”

The co-chairperson and executive director of MGM China Holdings Ltd did not provide details for the death of her father, but the late Ho had been reported to be in poor health conditions since his fall at home in 2009.

When asked about the funeral arrangements like whether the funeral will be held in Hong Kong or elsewhere, she only noted there is not a final decision yet and the details would be announced in due course.

Besides Pansy Ho, her brother Lawrence Ho Yau Lung — chairman and CEO Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited — and Angela Leong On Kei, the fourth and last wife of the late Ho that is also Macau legislator and co-chairperson and executive of SJM Holdings, were also present today among other family relatives of the tycoon.