We are always inspired by stories of ordinary people who became some of the world’s wealthiest business leaders. Their journeys encourage us to work hard and persevere, whatever challenges we face

in difficult circumstances. The success story of Henry Sy has all the hallmarks of perseverance, willpower, and determination that made him one of the wealthiest business leaders in the Philippines. He

began his career in a small store selling traditional clothing, then became a shoe salesman, eventually founding and owning the Prime

هولدينغز للبيع بالتجزئة. 

.

Henry Sy was born into a poor family in Ankhue Village, Jinjiang, Fujian Province, China, on October 25, 1924. He completed his secondary education at

Chiang Kai-shek High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Commercial Studies from Far Eastern University in 1950. He moved to the

الفلبين بسبب عمل والده، وكان لديه صعوبة كبيرة في التكيف مع الحياة الجديدة وخاصةً وعندما تعلم التحدث باللغة الإنكليزية. 

.

عمل هنري في متجر والده لبيع الثياب الشعبية “الساري” إلا أن المتجر تعرض للحرق خلال الحرب العالمية الثانية ومع انهيار الإقتصاد الفلبيني اضطر

to return to China, but Henry chose to stay in the Philippines. Henry stood out for his effective sales strategies and his ability to develop them, but one day he was shot

while selling on the street. A friend rescued him and took him to the hospital, strengthening their friendship and leading them to become business partners.

التجارية حتى اليوم. 

.

After the end of World War II in 1945, he opened his own shoe store. It grew quickly, and he went on to open more stores.

مع أصدقائه كشركاء تجاريين. وفي عام 1956, he opened his first store under his own brand and named it Shoe Mart. After the store’s success, he decided to

Henry opened branches in other areas. After some suppliers imposed restrictions on him, he was forced to diversify his products, adding clothing and

other goods to his stores with his mother’s help.

.

Henry weathered the difficult economic conditions that affected the Philippines, as well as personal hardships. On November 8, 1985, he founded the first chain of

his stores in the city of North Edsa. He then expanded steadily every few years, opening a new chain of stores bearing the name

“SM Supermalls“، ولكنه عاني من التأخير بعد اندلاع الأزمة الآسيوية في عام 1997، ولكن متاجره كانت تحقق نمواً وتعود عليه بعائدات

كبيرة جداً.

.

Henry moved into banking and helped reorganize and strengthen financial institutions, particularly Banco de Oro. Henry Sy became

حالياً يمتلك مصرف الصين، وفي عام 2006 قام بشراء بنك “PCI” وفي عام 2007 قاك بدمجه مع بانكو دي أورو. توسعت أعماله لتشمل الأغذية

and beverages through the acquisition of an 11% stake in San Miguel, which he sold in 2005 for US$680 million. He received

Henry received an honorary doctorate in business administration from De La Salle University in January 1999 and joined the list of the world’s wealthiest businesspeople with a fortune of

تقدر بأكثر من US$21.8 billion.