Low Taek Jho, the Big Spending Malaysian in New York (Part 2)
Written by pinolobu on July 30, 2010 – 12:07 am -The 28-year old Malaysian who has been called Malaysia’s most famous socialite, The International Man of Mystery & reputedly The Most Wild-spending Twentysomething Malaysian Ever has finally talked to the Malaysian mainstream media, in an exclusive interview with The Star recently.
The gist of it:
- from Penang, 3rd and youngest in family
- Height: 170cm (5′ 7″)
- Weight: 88kg
- Languages: English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Hokkien, Teo Chew and Basic Arabic
- father: Datuk Larry Low, founder of engineering company MWE
- he is not the big spender, but his Arab friends and investors are
- he IS a millionaire, having made his first million when he had not yet graduated (aged 20), when he “took a semester off from The Wharton School of Business to set up an investment fund that 8 years later is worth more than USD1 billion.” The fund, called The Wyndon Group, got off the ground with USD25 million, from his family and 9 others: schoolmates & families.
- he and 11 friends are staying at the Park Imperial apartment (5,000 sq ft) in New York, rented for reputedly a monthly amount more than what most people in Malaysia will earn in a lifetime, but he denied that it was him who pays the rent. For that kind of money definitely it has to be “a very nice apartment,” with probably faux wood blinds thrown in.
- on the board of UBG Bhd as group adviser and non-independent & non-executive director since 2008.
- group adviser to several international corporations involved in global private equity, M&A and buyouts
Still, I doubt there are many Malaysian 28-year old who can casually, yet truthfully say:
I am not going out with Paris Hilton but we have been to several parties together because I am a friend of her parents, Rick and Kathy Hilton. You can ask her yourself if you have any doubt. She just happens to be part of the group.
His advice, basically:
- luck plays a part in life: he was in the right place at the right time
- need to choose the right schools: in his case, it was the UK’s Harrow School (A-Levels) & The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, USA (BSc in Economics majoring in Finance)
And last but not least:
I am not an excessive person but I do have my breaks for relaxation with friends.
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