Socialite Chau Kai-bong
Socialite Chau Kai-bong – famous for his matching wife Brenda, pink Rolls Royce and golden toilet – is a Hong Kong icon. Jan Leung delves beneath the glitter.

By Jan Leung | Jun 21, 2007

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  • Socialite Chau Kai-bong

Don't discuss my age. I am old, old enough to worry about heart bypass surgery before finishing up this oily curry dish.

The biggest challenge in my life started at birth. I was born two months premature.

Weighing three pounds, my daily meal was several droplets of food pumped into my mouth using a syringe.

I am creative by nature. My dream was going to Hollywood and becoming a well-rounded artist like Charlie Chaplin. I would write the scripts, design the costumes, and make the sets out of broomsticks and bedsheets.

I could have become a monk. I've got a sixth sense. I can feel things before they happen.

Long story short: my father tricked me into becoming a lawyer. I never loved it but I made a living out of it.

Attention follows you when you are ahead of your time.

Returning to Hong Kong in the late 60s, Brenda and I wore the latest fashion from Europe. We instantly became celebrities.

Having the same interests holds couples together.

Brenda and I are passionate about fashion and everything glamorous. Our house, designed jointly by us, is called “Villa d’Oro.” It means the House of Gold. We have a pink Rolls Royce. From carpet to the chauffeur’s uniform, everything is in pink.

Brenda was a revolutionary. She was the first Hong Konger to wear a low-cut dress.

Brenda and I stick together like Siamese twins. I can't even find a photo without her standing beside me.

There are no ups and downs in our marriage. Couples don’t have to be crazily in love all the time. We just don’t get tired of each other.

Unlike lawyers such as Alan Leong and the one who got slapped at McDonald's [Albert Ho], I really am crazy.

There is always a crazy to-do list in my head that never ends.

I never managed to finish an entire issue of the Economist.

Death knocked at my door again when I was once traveling in a safari.The car broke down and five lions were wandering around my young and delicious body.

Fear defines me. My heart rate leapt to 200bmp while I was having my tooth removed.

Think twice before removing anything from your body. I threw my cataract lens into the dustin and now I'm really missing it.

A minor imperfection gives individuality. You can’t buy a look with character by paying the plastic surgeons.

Be gentle when applying shadow to the bridge of your nose. People can tell you fake it.

Happiness draws more attention than fashion does. It is our fun-loving spirit that makes us likeable.

Some reporters criticize the way we dress. They know nothing about fashion. They can’t even tolerate a celebrity wearing the same outfit twice. I don't mind what
they say.

If you don’t love me, leave me.

We never seek attention on purpose. We are just being ourselves.

Like father, like son – I wish!

Talking back is cheap. If you hate someone, ignore him.

My son, Brandon, is now a grown man. He is blessed to become the pupil of the most renowned lawyer in town, Qing Hung.

He is turning deaf. But only to my advice!

Brenda and Brandon – that’s another story. He is her Prince Charming.

Becoming sentimental... that’s what aging does to people.

I cry all the time. A movie, some tragic news about strangers can bring tears to my eyes.

I’ve seen the dark side of too many people.

Let people know you’re not stupid or else people will take advantage of you. Better yet, study the law.

My motto: Treat people with heart and have a clean conscience.

Living without Brenda.... I can't imagine it.

You’ve already learned too much. Zip it!

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