A Hong Kong billionaire has offered up a staggering, if bizarre, "marriage bounty" to any man who can woo his daughter, who is currently married to a woman.
Business Insider reports that Cecil Chao Sze-tsung publicly announced the $65 million "reward" after hearing that Gigi Chao had eloped with her long-term female partner to France.
Deeming reports of his daughter's same-sex wedding "false," Chao told the South China Morning Post (via CTV News), "I don't mind whether he is rich or poor. The important thing is that he is generous and kind-hearted."
In addition to the "dowry," Chao has also pledged to help the successful suitor launch his own business. He called the prize money "an inducement to attract someone who has the talent, but not the capital, to start his own business," according to CTV News.
Whether or not Chao, who owns Cheuk Nang (Holdings) Ltd., is truly qualified to give marriage advice to anyone (gay or straight) is questionable given his apparent playboy reputation. The 76-year-old tycoon, who has never been married, is said to have once bragged about sleeping with 10,000 women, GlobalPost points out. Nonetheless, he continued his plea by describing his daughter as "a very good woman with both talents and looks. She is devoted to her parents, is generous and does volunteer work."
No news about whether or not prospective suitors have come forward, but it seems unlikely Gigi would be interested. The 33-year-old, who graduated from the University of Manchester and now works as a director at her father's company, was in a seven-year-long relationship with her new wife before they tied the knot in France.
The BBC reports that Gigi called her father's plan "entertaining," and has said she won't worry about it until a suitor has been found.
Correction at 4:40ET on September 27: After publication of this story, it was revealed that Gigi Chao has dated both men and women and, thus, the use of the term "lesbian" here refers only to her current relationship. It is unclear if she identifies as bisexual or lesbian.
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