Chan Laiwa (also known as Chen Lihua) is a Chinese entrepreneur, billionaire, and the founder of Fu Wah International Group, a massive conglomerate focused on luxury real estate development. Her life story is a dramatic rags-to-riches narrative rooted in historical upheaval. She is a descendant of a noble Manchu family of the Qing dynasty and was born in 1941 in the Summer Palace of Beijing.

When the Manchu dynasty collapsed, her family lost their estates and became poor, forcing Chan to leave high school and start her career. She began with a humble furniture repair business. This hands-on experience in restoration and craftsmanship, combined with her noble heritage, provided her with a unique eye for luxury assets and cultural preservation, skills she would later leverage for her real estate empire.

Chan Laiwa's entrepreneurial journey began with buying and re-selling furniture in the early 1980s. She moved to Hong Kong, where her business success was rapid, allowing her to accumulate enough capital to buy 12 villas. In the late 1980s, she returned to Beijing to expand her real estate vision, founding Fu Wah International Group in the early 1990s.

Fu Wah's business model focused on luxury commercial and residential real estate development in Beijing, including massive commercial complexes and high-end residential towers. The company also diversified into agriculture, tourism, and hospitality. Her most enduring personal venture is the founding of the China Red Sandalwood Museum in 1999, which showcases her lifelong love for red sandalwood furniture (influenced by her childhood in the Summer Palace). She has since handed over the daily management of her ventures to her son, preferring to concentrate on her cultural contributions and the museum.

Chan Laiwa's social impact is significant and deeply tied to cultural preservation and disaster relief. Her founding of the China Red Sandalwood Museum and her subsequent donation of sandalwood artworks to museums globally is a massive cultural contribution, ensuring the preservation of rare Chinese craftsmanship.

The Fu Wah Group has made substantial donations for disaster relief (e.g., 265 million yuan in 2004 and 130 million yuan in 2005). Her personal story—rising from poverty to become one of China's richest women—serves as a powerful symbol of resilience and entrepreneurial success in the face of historical change.

Chan Laiwa maintains the elegant, traditional style of a Chinese matriarch and cultural patron. Her attire is consistently refined, often featuring high-quality traditional Chinese garments and luxury accessories. Her aesthetic is one of quiet, established authority and deep cultural pride.

Residing in her Chinese Red Sandalwood Museum, her luxury is defined by the security of her multi-billion dollar real estate empire and the autonomy to dedicate her life to the preservation of rare cultural arts. Her life is a testament to the profitable convergence of real estate development and cultural heritage.