For decades, Winnie Ho Yuen-ki kept a large secret. As sibling rivalry with tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun started hitting the headlines, so too would the details of her past become public knowledge.

In 2004, Ms Ho shared details of this secret with journalist Barry Wain. For decades, her son Michael Mak Shun-ming had been oblivious to the fact that his real father was patriarch Eric Hotung. It was a fact she claimed Mr Ho had known, and had led to problems between them.

It was only at the age of 41 that Mr Mak was to learn the truth, although he had previously been told by other relatives of his real parentage, but had not believed them. Ms Ho and Mr Mak are very close, according to family members. The same cannot be said for two other children of Ms Ho's - Anita and Winston Mak.