Hong Kong billionaire Cecil Chao caused controversy in 2012 when he offered nearly 75 million dollars to any man who could seduce and marry his daughter, out lesbian Gigi Chao. Gigi Chao had been with her partner Sean Eav for almost nine years when her father set what some had referred to as her “marriage bounty”. She received correspondence from a number of hopeful male suitors, including some lewd photographs.
Upon finding that he had not met with success, Cecil Chao increased his offer to around 145 million Australian dollars, prompting his daughter to respond in an emotional open letter.
”Dear Daddy, I thought the timing was right for us to have a candid conversation.” she wrote.
“I know it’s difficult for you to understand how I could feel romantically attracted to a woman; I suppose I can’t really explain it either. It just happens, peacefully and gently, and after so many years, we still love each other very much.
“My regret is that you have no idea how happy I am with my life, and there are aspects of my life that you don’t share. I suppose we don’t need each other’s approval for our romantic relationships.
“I do love my partner Sean, who does a good job of looking after me, ensuring I am fed, bathed and warm enough every day, and generally cheering me up to be a happy, jolly girl. She is a large part of my life, and I am a better person because of her. It would mean the world to me if you could just not be so terrified of her, and treat her like a normal, dignified human being.
“I understand it is difficult for you to understand, let alone accept this truth. There are plenty of good men, they are just not for me.”
Gigi Chao and Sean Eav reportedly married in France in 2012.
Cecil Chao told reporters in a recent interview with a Malaysian newspaper that he was hoping to “coax her towards a husband, children and a more traditional family structure for when she eventually inherits the Cheuk Nang property empire” and argued that at 33, his daughter was too young to have cemented her sexual orientation.
Sacha Baron Coen is reportedly writing a film based on the story.
Sophie Joske
