Casino king had secret 17th son

The late casino tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun had a 17th child in addition to the publicly-known 16, his fourth wife Angela Leong On-kei has confirmed.

The son, named Ho Yau-bong, was never publicly revealed until a newspaper obituary on Saturday disclosed his name, which appeared alongside the names of Ho's 16 other children.

Rumors had long circulated that Ho had a 17th child, but Ho's daughter Sabrina Ho Chiu-yeng had previously denied it.

Leong released a statement on Saturday revealing the existence of Yau-bong, a name that was different from that rumored.

"Due to health reasons, the family has never published messages relating to him," Leong wrote.

"I understand that everything related to my husband will come under the spotlight," she wrote. "However, I hope the decision that my husband and I made for Yau-bong will be respected and protected."

"As a mother, I'm very worried that rumors will have a negative impact on Yau-bong. It's difficult to live normally in a family as such, but I hope that he could feel the safety and kindness from the outside world under our protection."

Leong said that Yau-bong was not a secret in the family.

"Just like other kids, he has been loved and well taken care of since he was little, when we would go on trips and to birthday parties together," Leong said. "My husband loved him dearly and he did his best to prepare everything for our son."

"Yau-bong's life is meant to be protected and cannot be disturbed," she said. "We know that society needs its stories, but it also needs kindness, understanding and care for one another."

Leong said this was the first and last time she will address the issue in public and hoped for everyone's understanding.

The funeral of Stanley Ho, who passed away at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on May 26 aged 98, will be held at Hong Kong Funeral Home on July 8.

The public will be able to pay their respects on July 9 before Ho is encoffined on July 10.