Divorce case of Chinese 'Warren Buffet' ends after 15 years. Wife gets Rs 664 crore alimony

The split marks one of the most high-profile divorces in China’s corporate history. (AI-generated image)

A 15-year-long divorce battle in China has concluded with a record-breaking alimony order of 536 million yuan (about Rs 664 crore). Zhao Bingxian, 63 -- widely known as China’s Warren Buffett -- was ordered by the courts to split shares of their company with his wife, Lu Juan.

According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), Lu first filed for divorce in April 2010, citing repeated domestic violence and demanding an equitable division of assets. At the time, Zhao held 80 percent of their company Beijing Zhongzheng Wanrong Investment Group's shares, while Lu owned the remainder. Zhao allegedly delayed proceedings for years, citing illness and business obligations. The dispute escalated when Lu removed a steel safe containing company assets, leading to her detention for 37 days on theft charges, which was later dismissed due to lack of evidence.

Business empire and rise to fame

The couple began trading stocks in the early 1990s under Lu’s grandfather’s guidance, eventually founding Zhongzheng Wanrong. The firm played a key role in listing numerous mainland companies on Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Shenzhen exchanges. Zhao cemented his reputation as a financial visionary after publishing a bestselling book on capital operations in 1997. Chinese media have since dubbed him the country's Buffett -- a title he has held for over a decade.

Court’s final word
The first hearing took place in June 2023, with the court ruling that the couple should equally share common property. Zhao appealed, but the second hearing reaffirmed the verdict. Despite the settlement, Zhao’s roles at Zhongzheng Wanrong and Shandong Wohua Pharmaceutical remain unaffected. His office reportedly features photographs with Warren Buffett and quotes from the investment mogul, reflecting his admiration for Berkshire Hathaway’s principles, SCMP reported.

The couple's journey

Zhao and Lu married in 1988 after meeting during Zhao’s service in the People’s Liberation Army. They share two children—a son and a daughter. While Zhao became a prominent figure in China’s investment circles, Lu managed the company’s finances and largely stayed out of the public eye. Her family’s investment legacy and early guidance played a pivotal role in the couple’s rise to wealth, making their split one of the most high-profile divorces in China’s corporate history.