The husband of Immigration Director Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee has died of liver and kidney failure at the age of 62.
Sammy Ip Man-ho had had cancer for two years. His condition worsened last month and he was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on October 22. Mrs Ip, 47, had been off work since early November to be with him. They have a daughter, Cynthia, eight.
Ip, from a wealthy construction family, was educated at Diocesan Boys' School and the University of London. He worked as a structural engineer for construction company Ove Arup for five years before returning to Hong Kong to look after the family business.
The couple wed in 1981. A legal fight broke out seven years later over Ip's father's will. The father left an estate of $30.5 million to five daughters but he disinherited his two sons, alleging they were 'dishonest' to him - a claim struck out in court.
The High Court upheld the validity of the will despite allegations the father was of unsound mind and influenced by his daughters when it was drawn up.
The funeral will be on December 6 at the Hong Kong Funeral Home.