Henry T. Sy, Sr. | |
---|---|
Native name | 施至成 |
Born |
Jinjiang, Fukien, Republic of China |
October 15, 1924
Residence | Manila, Philippines |
Nationality | Filipino |
Education | Far Eastern University |
Occupation | Businessman |
Known for | Founder of SM Group |
Net worth | US$ 12.2 Billion (January 2017) |
Spouse(s) | Felicidad Tan-Sy |
Children | 6 (inc. Teresita) |
Parent(s) | Henry H. Sy Tan O Sia |
Henry T. Sy, Sr. (Chinese: ; pinyin: Shī Zhìchéng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Si Chì-sêng; born October 15, 1924) is a Chinese-Filipino business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is involved in the industries of real estate, hospitality, banking, mining, education, and health care. He is responsible for the establishment of SM Malls, anchored by Shoemart Department Store and Supermarket. He is the chairman of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., the holding corporation for all his business interests in his vast business empire. In 2015, Forbes Magazine listed him as the richest man in the Philippines, ahead of 11 other billionaires including John Gokongwei and Lucio Tan.
Henry Sy was born to a poor family in Jinjiang, China on October 15, 1924. He is the son of Henry H. Sy and Tan O Sia.
He completed his secondary education in a school now known as Chiang Kai Shek College and earned his Associate of Arts degree in Commercial Studies at Far Eastern University in 1950.
In 1958, Sy established a small shoe store in Quiapo, Manila that marked the establishment of SM Prime Holdings. In November 1972, the small shoe store became SM Quiapo, SM's first standalone department store.
On November 8, 1985, he established his first SM Supermalls, SM City North EDSA.
He is the Philippines' richest man, gaining $5 billion in 2010, amid the global financial crisis. The huge gain was due to his holding company, SM Investments Corporation, which has interests in Banco de Oro, inter alia. Forbes magazine's 2008 list of 40 wealthiest Filipinos, revealed the Sy family's net worth was $6.2 billion. Earlier, he was the second wealthiest individual in the Philippines, next to Lucio Tan, and (as of 2010) 201st in the world.