David Lee Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts
Explore David Lee net worth, relationships, age/birthdate, and birthday — a deep dive into his luxury empire, family life, and Ferrari collection.
David Lee Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday
David Lee is a Chinese-American entrepreneur, luxury jeweler, real-estate investor, and one of the world’s most celebrated Ferrari collectors.
Introduction
David Lee is a self-made entrepreneur whose ventures in luxury jewelry, real estate, and exotic automobiles have earned him an estimated net worth of US$200 million. Born on October 21, 1969, his birthday is celebrated on October 21. Lee’s personal life centers around his marriage to his wife (publicly known as Katherine) and their life together in Southern California.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Lee |
| Age/Birthdate | October 21, 1969 |
| Birthday | October 21 |
| Nationality | Hong Kong–born / Chinese-American (resident in United States) |
| Profession | Entrepreneur — Luxury Jewelry Retailer, Real Estate Investor, Exotic Car Collector |
| Estimated Net Worth | US$200 Million |
| Relationship Status | Married (wife: Katherine) |
| Known For | Founder & CEO of Hing Wa Lee Group; ownership of one of the world’s most impressive private Ferrari collections; luxury real estate investments; influential role in jewelry retail |
From Family Business Roots to Luxury Empire
David Lee’s journey began in Hong Kong, where he was born. His family relocated to the United States during his childhood, seeking new opportunities. Educated in Los Angeles and later at the trusted Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, Lee absorbed both discipline and ambition.
Rather than follow a conventional corporate path, he chose to honor his family’s legacy — transforming his father’s modest gemstone-carving wholesale business into a high-end luxury retail empire. Under Lee’s vision, the business evolved from wholesale gemstone trading into a multi-faceted luxury brand serving affluent clientele across Southern California.
Defining moments in David Lee’s journey include:
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Convincing his father to shift from wholesale gemstone trading to a luxury retail model.
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Opening the first flagship store of Hing Wa Lee Jewelers in San Gabriel — a bold move that redefined the brand’s identity.
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Strategic expansion into real estate, tying his retail presence to property ownership and development.
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Diversifying into automotive ventures and establishing a reputation as an elite exotic car collector — merging personal passion with brand prestige.
The Core Pillars of David Lee’s Wealth
The core pillars of David Lee’s wealth include:
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Luxury Jewelry Retail & Watch Dealing — as Chairman and CEO of Hing Wa Lee Group, Lee oversees multiple high-end retail stores known for selling luxury brands like Rolex and Cartier.
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Real Estate Ownership and Management — Lee owns the commercial properties that house his stores and operates real estate holdings through his realty firm.
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Exotic Car Collection & Automotive Ventures — His world-class collection of Ferraris and other supercars represents both a passion and a substantial asset base; many of these cars have appreciated in value considerably over time.
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Investments and Diversified Ventures — Lee has reportedly engaged in investments beyond jewelry and real estate, including ventures in collectibles, private investments, and possibly startups.
Relationships & Personal Life: Behind the Public Persona
David Lee’s personal life is notably private but public enough to reflect stability and partnership. According to available reporting:
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He is married to a woman publicly referred to as Katherine, who runs the real estate arm of his business.
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Their marriage has provided the dual benefit of personal partnership and professional collaboration — with Katherine managing realty operations while David focuses on luxury retail, automotive ventures, and brand expansion.
Key insights into David Lee’s relationships and personal life:
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He maintains a stable family life, with his spouse deeply involved in the business, facilitating synergy between retail and real estate.
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His public persona blends entrepreneurial ambition with a lifestyle of passion — especially visible in his automotive collection and social media presence.
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Lee appears to guard personal privacy: while his marriage is public, detailed personal-family narratives (children, upbringing of kids) are not widely published.
Lifestyle, Assets & Interests: More Than Business
Beyond career success, David Lee leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:
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Maintaining one of the world’s most impressive and valuable private collections of Ferraris and exotic cars — spanning rare supercars, vintage models, and modern hypercars.
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Collecting luxury watches, gemstones, and other high-end accessories, in line with his roots in jewelry retail and catering to elite clientele.
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Engaging in real estate development and property management, owning the shopping centres housing his businesses — an integration of retail and real estate asset strategies.
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Cultivating a presence on social media platforms, using digital reach to amplify his brand, connect with luxury enthusiasts, and showcase his collections — blending entrepreneurship with modern marketing sensibilities.
Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis
David Lee’s net worth estimation draws from several public sources and reflects diverse asset classes. Here’s a breakdown of the known value-drivers:
| Category | Estimated Value / Share of Portfolio | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Business Ventures (Hing Wa Lee Jewelers Retail, Watch & Jewelry Sales, Brand Portfolio) | Major portion of net worth | CelebrityNetWorth |
| Real Estate Holdings & Commercial Properties | Significant share via property ownership and management | Industry reporting on his real estate portfolio and holdings |
| Exotic Car & Collectibles Collection | Estimated value up to US$100 Million (for car collection alone) | CelebrityNetWorth valuation of his Ferrari and exotic car assets |
| Diversified Investments & Other Assets | Undisclosed private investments (e.g. boutique ventures, startups, collectibles) | Business profile and interviews |
This diversified approach — combining retail, real estate, collectibles, and investments — enables Lee not only to build but also preserve and grow wealth across market cycles. His passion-driven investments (like cars and watches) have arguably appreciated over time, while real estate and retail offer ongoing cash flow and asset stability.
Public Image, Legacy & Influence
David Lee occupies a unique niche where entrepreneurial grit meets luxury lifestyle. In industry circles, he is admired for transforming a family gemstone-carving business into a national high-end retail empire. This transition underscores his strategic vision, understanding of luxury markets, and ability to adapt.
His influence extends beyond retail. By owning one of the most prestigious private supercar collections, Lee has become a tastemaker in car culture and luxury lifestyle — often featured in media, automotive circles, and among celebrity clientele.
Through his dual focus on high-end jewellery and real estate, he’s also contributed to redefining how family businesses evolve in immigrant communities — showing that heritage trades can scale dramatically with ambition and business acumen.
Conclusion
David Lee’s journey from a family gemstone-carving enterprise to a luxury retail and real estate empire illustrates the power of vision, diversification, and relentless ambition. With an estimated net worth of US$200 million, a celebrated exotic car collection, and a stable partnership with his wife Katherine, Lee embodies the modern self-made luxury entrepreneur. His birthdate — October 21, 1969 — and his birthday, October 21, mark the starting point of a story defined by transformation, ambition, and legacy. In blending business savvy with passion for cars and luxury, David Lee has crafted not just wealth — but a lasting imprint on high-end retail, real estate, and lifestyle culture.
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