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Michelle Yeoh’s ex-husband, Dickson Poon, an American businessman, established and serves as the executive chairman of his Hong Kong-based company, Dickson Concepts Ltd., founded in 1980. Poon has gradually climbed the ladder of success through his unwavering determination and persistence.
His company is a major luxury goods retailing industry player, owning franchises of renowned fashion labels such as Harvey Nichols, S.T. Dupont, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren.
Dickson Concepts operates with a pragmatic and functional ideology, acquiring financially viable enterprises with high standing and restructuring them for profitability.
In addition, Poon co-founded D & B Films, a production company that achieved success by producing action films like “Hong Kong 1941” and “The Return of Pom Pom.”
Childhood & Early Life
Born into a prosperous family in Hong Kong on June 19th, 1956, Dickson Poon’s parents were both accomplished professionals. His father was a successful watchmaker, while his mother excelled in the stockbroking industry.
Poon attended St Joseph’s College in Hong Kong before studying philosophy and economics at Uppingham School in Britain and Occidental College in Los Angeles.
He honed his retail expertise during an 18-month apprenticeship in watch-making at Chopard’s factory in Geneva. Poon launched his own business in Hong Kong in 1980, funded by a £500,000 loan from his father.
Career
Dickson Poon started his entrepreneurial journey in 1980 by opening his first store, Dickson Watch and Jewellery, to make it big. In just two years, he acquired his first brand franchise from Charles Jourdan and became one of the first to recognize Asia’s need for designer brands.
While also investing in film production, Poon’s main focus remained on the retail sector. He strategically acquired big brands such as S.T. Dupont and luxury department store Harvey Nichols, which he turned around from losses to expansions across the UK.
Poon has been the Chairman and Director of Dickson Concepts (International) Limited since 1992 and 1991, respectively. Currently, he is the owner and Chairman of Tommy Hilfiger Asia-Pacific Ltd.
Family & Personal Life
Dickson Poon has been married thrice. His first wedding was to Marjorie Yang, daughter of Hong Kong textile tycoon Y.L. Yang, and they have a daughter named Poon Dee-Dee.
He later married former Miss Malaysia, Michelle Yeoh, but both marriages were short-lived. Poon resides in London with his 3rd spouse, Pearl Yu, with whom he has 5 children.
Apart from his personal life, Poon is known for his philanthropic efforts. In 2010, he donated 10 million pounds to Oxford University’s St Hugh’s College to fund the building of the Dickson Poon China Centre, dedicated to studying China.
In 2012, he contributed 20 million pounds to King’s College London to fund its law faculty, which led to renaming the college as The Dickson Poon School of Law.
Who Is Michelle’s Boyfriend, Jean Todt?
Throughout Michelle Yeoh’s award season run for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, one person has been by her side: her partner, Jean Todt. Todt was born in Pierrefort, France, in February 1946 and attended the Ecole des Cadres School of Economics and Business in Paris.
He began driving in 1966 and won numerous races, including the Tour de France Automobile Rally, World Rally Championship, and Rally de Portugal.
In the 1980s, Todt transitioned into team management roles. He was the head of Peugeot Talbot Sport from 1982 to 1993 and the general manager of Scuderia Ferrari from 1994 to 2007, during which time he was also the CEO of Ferrari.
Todt was the president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, which oversees the Formula One World Championship, from 2009 to 2021.
Todt & Yeoh Met In 2004
Todt and Yeoh met in 2004 at a Ferrari event in Shanghai, where Yeoh was doing publicity. They became engaged in 2005 and now travel frequently, splitting their time between homes in Paris, the French countryside, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, and Hong Kong.
Although they have been “threatening to get married for such a long time,” as Todt said in 2021, they have yet to tie the knot. However, rumors suggest that they are considering getting married shortly.
After Yeoh won her Academy Award, Todt tweeted his pride and happiness for her, calling it a “moment of pure grace and immense happiness.”
