Macau casino heir Mario Ho accused of cheating, fathering secret child, and incest with half-sister
From viral rumour to public denial
First came the rumours of him cheating on his wife, Ming Xi. Then came whispers about him having a secret child with BY2's Yumi (a Singaporean duo based in China), and even talk that he was involved with both members of the girl group. But the most outrageous accusation? A supposed romantic relation with his half-sister, Laurinda Ho.
Though none of the claims have been confirmed, the mix of blurry photos and anonymous posts was enough to set the internet ablaze.
Mario Ho gives a shocking response
The Macau casino heir took to Weibo with a forceful rebuttal, calling the claims "absurd" and "wildly imaginative." He said, "They said I had a child with another woman - I already clarified back in 2019. There's no child! Then they said I was dating both members of BY2. I was just speechless. And now, a rumour involving my own sister. My god, some people's imagination is off the charts."
He added that while he usually chooses not to respond to gossip, this round had gone too far: "It's not just me anymore. The people around me are being hurt, and my family's name is being dragged through the mud. Let me say this clearly: every single rumour is false."
The silence of Ming Xi and public curiosity
The situation escalated further due to the silence of his wife, Ming Xi, a Chinese supermodel and public figure in her own right. The couple married in 2019 and have two children together. As she has made no public statement since the rumours surfaced, it has prompted some netizens to question the narrative.
Adding to the intrigue is Ming Xi's high-profile status within the Ho family. In 2023, she was reportedly gifted a HK$4.6 billion cargo ship by Mario's mother, Angela Leong, and named one of the successors to Leong's vast business empire.
Family legacy under pressure
Mario Ho is the youngest son of Angela Leong, the fourth wife of the late Stanley Ho, the legendary Macau casino magnate. Born in 1995, Mario has long been positioned as one of the Ho family's rising stars.
A brilliant student, he earned gold medals at the International Mathematical Olympiad and was accepted to both Oxford and MIT, ultimately choosing to study at MIT.
After graduating in 2016, Mario returned to Hong Kong and launched several business ventures, building a reputation as a savvy and ambitious entrepreneur within the family's complex corporate legacy.
What's next for the Ho family?
While none of the allegations have been substantiated, the public fallout may still leave lasting marks on the Ho family's image. The most inflammatory claim - concerning Mario and his half-sister Laurinda - has drawn particular attention for its taboo nature.
Mario's statement may have quieted some speculation, but questions still swirl - especially as no legal action has been publicly pursued and key figures, including Ming Xi and Laurinda Ho, have yet to speak.
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