Wahaha Heiress Kelly Zong Faces $2 Billion Inheritance Claim from Three Alleged Half-Siblings

Hong Kong – A significant inheritance dispute has emerged in a Hong Kong courtroom, where three individuals, Jacky, Jessie, and Jerry Zong, claim to be half-siblings of Kelly Zong, the heiress to China's beverage empire, Hangzhou Wahaha Group. The trio is seeking to freeze a HSBC bank account, reportedly holding around $1.8 billion, as part of a $2 billion inheritance claim against Ms. Zong. This legal battle follows the passing of Zong Qinghou, the late founder of Wahaha, in February 2023.

The plaintiffs allege that their late father, Zong Qinghou, had promised each of them $700 million in trusts, assets they contend have been mishandled or diminished since his death. They claim Mr. Zong instructed subordinates to establish offshore trusts and convert yuan to U.S. dollars for their benefit. Kelly Zong's legal team, however, disputes these claims, asserting that such orders were never relayed to her and that the evidence presented is insufficient.

The lawsuit brings to light what some have described as a long-standing private matter. As stated in a social media post by Liqian Ren, "It’s like of open secret in Zhejiang for years that Zong had a shadow wife and sons." This public revelation of the inheritance battle challenges the previously perceived succession narrative for the Wahaha Group, where Kelly Zong was widely regarded as Zong Qinghou's sole successor.

Hangzhou Wahaha Group, founded by Zong Qinghou in 1987, grew into China's largest beverage producer, known for its bottled water, juices, and teas. Kelly Zong assumed leadership of the company after her father's death, navigating internal shareholder tensions and a competitive market landscape. The ongoing legal challenge adds another layer of complexity to her leadership, raising questions about trust governance and succession within prominent Chinese family businesses.

The Hong Kong court is expected to rule on the injunction request in approximately two months. This high-stakes legal proceeding underscores the challenges faced by China's first-wave tycoons and their heirs in managing vast fortunes and complex family dynamics, particularly as succession issues become more prevalent across the country's business dynasties.