A high-profile and often controversial Hong Kong businessman, dubbed a child prodigy in the real estate industry, died suddenly in Dongguan City, south China's Guangdong Province, Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.
The 47-year-old Law Siu Fai suddenly fainted at a law firm in Dongguan on Monday. He died after being rushed to hospital.
A doctor said he had suffered a heart attack.
Police have ruled out foul play and the body was sent to the funeral home, according to the newspaper report.
Law started work as a salesman when he finished primary school at 14 years old. He made his first fortune trading properties in 1988.
His personal assets rose to 2 billion yuan (US$304 million) after buying a listed company in 1994 and earned the nickname "child prodigy Hui."
His career did a U-turn during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. He attempted suicide in 2000, but failed.
Law was regularly in the public eye and was often seen out and about with -celebrities. In 2002 he published intimate photos in the media of himself and a Singaporean celebrity.
He also disclosed sex scandals between several billionaires and A-list stars, including Carina Lau and Maggie Q, which rocked the Hong Kong entertainment industry, the report said.
Law was caught using drugs with two women in a hotel in Macau in 2007 and sentenced to a 21-month jail term, with a two-year reprieve.
