Casino tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun's daughter Pansy is to divorce Julian Hui Chun-hang after nine years of marriage.
A statement confirming the split was issued by the couple's solicitors last night and comes after months of media speculation that their relationship was on the rocks.
Mr Hui, 32, a member of one of Hong Kong's most powerful but low-profile families, and Ms Ho, 38, socialite daughter of the gaming tycoon, also asked the media to leave them alone.
Ms Ho is managing director of Shun Tak Holdings while Mr Hui's family is one of the wealthiest in the territory with a host of local and international interests in shipping and property investments.
The statement said: 'As early as the beginning of this year, we had, after careful and sensible consideration, already decided to end our nine years of marriage and had started to lead separate lives.
'For us, it is not easy to face or accept the reality that our marriage has failed, and we deeply regret that it has happened.'
