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In the world today
Francis Choi

Francis Choi

F. Choi
0% | + $-0.01M
$7.97 B ₹ 72,471 Cr
Real Time Net Worth #453 Ranking as of 21 Feb 2026 By Forbes

More on Francis Choi

Gender

Male

Age

79Y

Country

Hong Kong

Born On

January, 1947

Deceased

No

Relationship Status

Married

Children

3

Education

Unknown

Designation Info :

Self-Made

Yes

Entrepreneur Type

Self-Made (Toys, Real Estate)

Primary Organization

Early Light International

Titles

Founder & Chairman

Sources of Wealth

Early Light International

Industry

Manufacturing, Toys, Real Estate

About Francis Choi


F rancis Choi is a self-made Hong Kong billionaire often referred to as the "King of Toys." He started his career as a toy salesman and, in 1972, founded his own company, Early Light International. He built the company into one of the world's largest toy manufacturers, producing toys on behalf of major global brands like Mattel. He famously made his first major fortune by producing the popular Snoopy character dolls.

He has since diversified his business empire significantly, becoming a major real estate investor with a vast portfolio of commercial and residential properties in Hong Kong and mainland China. He also has interests in watch manufacturing and retail. He is a prominent and high-profile figure in Hong Kong, known for his passion for luxury cars and horse racing. His daughter, Karson Choi, is a senior executive in the family's business group.

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Quick Reads


  • A self-made Hong Kong billionaire known as the "King of Toys."
  • Founder of Early Light International, one of the world's largest toy manufacturers.
  • Made his first big break manufacturing Snoopy dolls.
  • Has since become a major real estate investor in Hong Kong.
  • He is a prominent social figure with a famous collection of luxury cars.

Early Life and Background


Francis Choi Chee-ming, GBS, JP, is a Hong Kong businessman, the self-made billionaire founder and chairman of Early Light International (Holdings) Ltd., the largest manufacturer of toys in the world. Born in Guangdong Province, China, in 1945, he grew up in Hong Kong. His career began humbly as a toy salesman, recognizing the immense global demand for affordable children's products.

Choi's entrepreneurial journey began in 1972 when, at age 25, he opened his first toy factory in Hong Kong. His philosophy centered on industrial scale, manufacturing efficiency, and building long-term relationships with global toy giants. This commitment to dominating the high-volume toy manufacturing niche became the foundation of his immense, diversified fortune.

Career Journey of Francis Choi


Francis Choi's strategic vision transformed his small factory into a global industrial giant. Within five years of founding, his business had grown to 300 employees and established a relationship with Mattel, Inc. (manufacturing Snoopy merchandise). Early Light International grew to become the largest toy manufacturer in the world, earning Choi the nickname the King of Toys.

His career is also defined by a strategic diversification into real estate and investments (his main source of wealth, according to recent estimates). He owns sizeable stakes in listed companies like Town Health International and Regal Hotels International. He is an avid collector of luxury watches, cars, and horses, reflecting his immense wealth and personal passions. His structural contribution is tied to his political and civic roles, serving as a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

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Francis Choi's Timeline


1972 (Age 25):

Opens his first toy factory (Founding).

1977:

Business grows to 300 employees; establishes relationship with Mattel, Inc. (Growth Milestone).

Ongoing:

Early Light International grows to become the largest toy manufacturer in the world (Industrial Domination).

Ongoing:

Diversifies heavily into Hong Kong real estate and listed investments (Strategic Pivot).

Ongoing:

Continues as Founder and Chairman, guiding the global industrial giant (Executive Leadership).

Major Business Ventures and Investments


Francis Choi's wealth is concentrated in his founding and controlling ownership of the private industrial giant, Early Light International, and his vast real estate portfolio.

  • Early Light International (Founder & Chairman): The core private asset, the largest manufacturer of toys in the world.
  • Real Estate Holdings: His main source of wealth, owning sizeable stakes in listed companies like Regal Hotels International and vast private property.
  • Retail and Manufacturing Scale: His success is built on mastering the high-volume manufacturing and global supply chain of toys.
  • Luxury Collections: He is an avid collector of watches, cars, and horses, and owns a chain of watch retailers.

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Philanthropy and Social Impact


Francis Choi's social impact is structural, stemming from Early Light's role as a massive industrial employer (thousands of jobs) and a foundational supplier to the global toy industry. His company's commitment to Hong Kong manufacturing and trade is a major civic contribution.

His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives. His career, rising from a toy salesman to the King of Toys, provides an inspirational narrative of self-made success in the high-stakes global manufacturing sector.

Fashion, Style, and Lifestyle


Francis Choi maintains the highly visible, opulent style of a Hong Kong magnate. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic is one of confident, established authority, blending industrial success with the acquisition of high-end luxury collectibles (watches, cars).

Residing in Hong Kong, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to his commitment to manufacturing scale, real estate investment, and his strong ties to the Chinese political establishment.

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Quotes and Philosophy


No publicly available quotes.

Fun Facts & Trivia


  • He is nicknamed the King of Toys and founded Early Light International.
  • His company is the largest manufacturer of toys in the world.
  • His main source of wealth is real estate and investments in listed companies.
  • He was a toy salesman before opening his first factory in 1972.
  • He is an avid collector of watches, cars, and horses.
  • He is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
  • His wealth is estimated to be over $8.1 billion (2022 estimate).

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Sources & References


This profile is compiled from verified biographical and financial records:

  • Wealth Data: Real-time tracking and historical data from Forbes Billionaires and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
  • Biographical Records: Educational and career history sourced from Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and official university alumni directories.
  • Regulatory Filings: Shareholder and executive disclosures from stock exchange databases, including HKEX, SSE, SZSE, and SEC EDGAR.
  • Corporate History: Primary data from annual company reports, founding charters, and verified press announcements.

All information is cross-referenced with public sources for accuracy; some narrative sections are AI-assisted summaries.

If you find any inaccuracies, please report them to admin@redcarpetlife.in

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