The Rise of a Toy Tycoon: Inside the Life of Francis Choi

From Humble Beginnings to Global Toy Empire

Francis Choi Chee‑ming’s journey reads like a classic rags-to-riches tale. Born on September 18, 1945 in Jieyang, Guangdong, China, he spent his early years far from the trappings of wealth.

In 1972, when he was 25, Choi founded his first toy factory — transforming what began as modest sales work into a global empire.  Within five years, that factory expanded to employ some 300 workers.

Through early collaborations with major brands (like producing “Snoopy” merchandise for Mattel) and shrewd business acumen, Choi’s company flourished. Over decades, that modest toy-making operation evolved into Early Light International (Holdings) Ltd. — widely recognized as among the world’s largest toy manufacturers.

Today, Choi’s story stands as a powerful example of entrepreneurship: a man who parlayed a single factory into a diversified business empire spanning toys, real estate, luxury goods, and hospitality.

A Diversified Empire — More Than Just Toys

While Early Light remains the foundation of his wealth, Choi long ago transformed himself from “toy-king” into diversified tycoon.

Through the years, he invested heavily in real estate, building a significant property portfolio across Hong Kong, mainland China, and even overseas. 

Beyond real estate, he branched into luxury watch retail — owning the chain that his family runs — automotive services, hospitality (as vice-chairman of Regal Hotels International), and other ventures. 

Choi’s expansion from toys into varied industries underscores both his business vision and adaptability — traits that have defined his decades-long influence.

How Wealth Is Measured: Net Worth of Francis Choi

According to recent reporting by Forbes, Francis Choi retains a seat among Hong Kong’s wealthiest, with an estimated net worth of around US$8.1 billion. 

Regional rankings reflect similar valuations: in 2024, Choi was listed among the top tycoons in Hong Kong with a net worth cited at approximately US$8.2 billion. 

Despite occasional fluctuations in private-asset valuations or property markets, Choi’s wealth — anchored in diverse holdings across manufacturing, real estate, retail, and hospitality — remains formidable.

Family, Personal Tastes, and Private Life

Unlike many ultra-wealthy tycoons, Choi has managed to keep much of his personal life relatively low-key — yet a few details are in the public record.

He is married (some sources refer to his wife as Lee Wai‑lei) and has three children, including a son Karson Choi.  Karson — in turn — oversees aspects of the family’s luxury-goods retail operations (notably a watch retail business) under the group’s umbrella. 

Choi’s passions go beyond business. He is known for a penchant for luxury: fine watches, high-end cars, and even an opulent personal collection of automobiles. 

In some accounts, he owns a fleet of vehicles including two Rolls-Royce Phantoms and Porsches, along with boats anchored overseas — personal assets that mirror the scale of his professional success. 

The Legacy Behind the “King of Toys” Title

From humble beginnings in Guangdong to a global toy-making empire and vast real estate holdings — the arc of Francis Choi’s life is emblematic of perseverance, reinvention, and strategic diversification. His nickname, the “King of Toys,” speaks to the world’s recognition of how a small factory blossomed into a leading global manufacturer. 

Yet, what makes his story especially compelling is how he refused to be defined by that one industry. By investing across real estate, retail, hospitality, and luxury goods, Choi transformed from a toymaker into a diversified business magnate — illustrating that success built on a foundation of grit can scale into diversified influence.

Whether manufacturing toys for global brands or collecting exotic cars, Francis Choi Chee-ming remains a testament to entrepreneurial ambition. His journey underscores that with savvy business decisions and willingness to evolve, the leap from modest shop floor to global boardroom is possible.