Gigi Chao, the daughter of the rich Hong Kong business, Cecil Chao Sze-tsung man who offered $65 million to any man who can woo and marry her, despite her already being married to her longtime girlfriend, says she's not upset with her father.
The father-daughter duo made headlines around the world this week when he made the public statement after hearing news that his lesbian daughter eloped with her partner in France.
Gigi, 33, Said to the Associated Press, "I'm actually on very, very loving terms with my father. We speak on a daily basis. He just has a very interesting way of expressing his fatherly love."
She said to the AP that her father offered the hefty reward because he was upset that she had eloped in Paris with her girlfriend.
She added, "What this whole episode really highlights is that perhaps still, the Chinese - or in fact the Hong Kong mentality - can perhaps tolerate the 'don't ask, don't tell' view of sexuality. But as a social statement, it's still very much a sensitive issue."
Hong does not legally recognize same-sex marriage but it did decriminalize homosexuality in 1991.
Chao Sze-tsung, 76, chairman of Cheuk Nang Holdings a property developer is notorious for being a rich playboy who has never been married, and had once claimed to have slept with 10,000 women. He has three children from three different women.
He said to the AP that he had received hundreds of offers from eager men hungry for the $65 million and his daughters hand in marriage. He said, "I was very surprised about the reaction from around the world. Thousands of people writing to say they want to be my in-laws."
He wants daughter to live a comfortable life in Hong Kong which he belives the $65 will help cover. "Living a comfortable life in Hong Kong, not super-luxury, takes HK$500 million ($65 million)."
He has also said about the potential suitor to BBC, "I don't mind whether he is rich or poor. The important thing is that he is generous and kind-hearted," he added. "Gigi is a very good woman with both talents and looks. She is devoted to her parents, is generous and does volunteer work."
Gigi, however laughed off the idea of choosing one of these suitors, saying to the AP, "We'll just worry about that when the time comes."
Read related story:
Gigi Chao: Hong Kong Billionaire, Cecil Chao Sze-tsung Offers $65 million to Marry Lesbian Daughter
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
