Follow Hong Kong Immigration and Hong Kong News: Hong Kong renowned film producer, entertainment mogul, and philanthropist Sir Run Run Shaw passed away at home at 6:55 AM this morning, surrounded by family, at the age of 107. Shaw was one of the founding directors of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), established in 1967, and he led TVB to become the largest television station in Hong Kong and one of the most influential television stations in the global Chinese television industry.
TVB stated that although they knew this day would come, it did not lessen their pain and loss. All staff at TVB will remember Sir Run Run Shaw and extend their heartfelt condolences to his wife, Lady Shaw, and family. Sir Run Run Shaw's funeral will be private for family only, and details of the memorial service will be announced later.
Sir Run Run Shaw was the longest-serving and oldest CEO of a publicly listed company in the world. The century he experienced was far more exciting than any film he produced.
As of 2012, the famous Hong Kong entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Run Run Shaw donated a total of HKD 4.75 billion to education in Mainland China over 25 years, funding 6,013 projects including libraries, teaching buildings, technology buildings, sports halls, art buildings, and academic exchange centers in primary, secondary, and vocational schools, normal universities, and special education schools across 31 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions in the country.
Sir Run Run Shaw (November 19, 1907), originally named Shaw Renleng, was born in Zhenhai Town, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, with ancestral roots in Ningbo, Zhejiang. He was the Honorary Chairman of Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited and one of the founders of Shaw Brothers Studio, a member of the Hong Kong Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, and a renowned film producer in Hong Kong.
After 1980, Sir Run Run Shaw served as an Executive Director of TVB, and from January 1, 2010, he stepped down as the Executive Chairman of TVB, remaining as the Non-Executive Chairman, while Vice Chairman and Managing Director, 79-year-old "Auntie Six" Lady Shaw officially took over the reins, managing this television empire valued at HKD 16.4 billion.
Sir Run Run Shaw dominated the entertainment industry for over half a century, creating the Shaw and TVB film empires and nurturing countless performing talents. It is said that "wherever there are Chinese people, there are Shaw films and TVB programs."
In 1975, Sir Run Run Shaw established the Shaw Foundation in Hong Kong, making numerous large donations to education, healthcare, and other welfare causes around the world. Over the years, Sir Run Run Shaw's total donations exceeded HKD 10 billion, with campus buildings and hospitals named after him spread across various cities in China.
In 1974, he was awarded the CBE by the Queen of England. In 1977, he was knighted by the Queen of England. In 1990, the Chinese government named the planet No. 2899 discovered in China as "Shaw Star." In 1991, San Francisco, USA, designated September 8 each year as "Sir Run Run Shaw Day." In 2003, the Shaw Prize was established to honor scientists who have made significant achievements in mathematics, life sciences and medicine, and astronomy.
