Who was Sir David Tang? The millionaire socialite who was friends with Princess Diana and Kate Moss

Sir David passed away this week, at the age of 63
Sir David Tang
AFP/Getty Images
Liz Connor31 August 2017

Stars including Naomi Campbell and Stephen Fry have expressed their grief at the passing of their friend, the millionaire socialite Sir David Tang.

Tributes have flooded in for the 63-year-old, who died on Wednesday just days before a ‘farewell party’ he was planning to throw at London’s Dorchester Hotel, after finding out he had just months to live following a battle with liver cancer.

Figures from across business and showbiz industries shared heartfelt messages remembering the life of the legendary bon vivant, with actor Russell Crowe tweeting, 'RIP dear friend... witty, charming, intellectual, salacious, hilarious'.

Here's everything you need to know about the legendary party thrower.

Who was Sir David Tang?

Born in Hong Kong, Sir David was the grandson of Tang Shiu Kin, the founder of the Kowloon bus company and one of the country’s greatest philanthropists.

At the age of 12, he moved with his parents to England and could barely speak a word of English. An education at Cambridge’s Perse School followed (where he failed his English O level six times, despite passing Latin, French and Russian), but managed to later score a place at Cambridge University studying Law and Philosophy.

Sir David quickly rose to become a prominent figure in the celebrity world and a millionaire socialite, and after a short-lived career in law, he founded fashion brand Shanghai Tang in 1994 and later sold it to luxury group Richemont.

The tycoon was renowned for his party lifestyle, and invested his money in setting up the legendary China Clubs in Hong Kong, Beijing and Singapore.

Tang was a prominent figure in the fashion world
Getty Images

As well as being a friend of both celebrities and royals, Sir David was famous for his love of cigars. He added another string to his business bow by founding the Pacific Cigar Company - eventually becoming the sole distributor of all Cuban cigars in the Asia-Pacific.

In 2005 he brought is empire over to London, setting up China Tang at The Dorchester in London - one of the capital’s most celebrated Cantonese restaurants.

As well as his entrepreneurial spirit, he was well-known for his charitable work. In 2008, Sir David was awarded a knighthood by the Queen for his philanthropic services in the UK and British interests in Hong Kong.

Who was friends with Sir David Tang?

The father-of-two was a regular feature in society magazines, after forging friendships with royals, actors and musicians. He was often referred to as 'London’s best-connected man’.

He counted Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Kevin Spacey, Sarah Ferguson and the late Princess Diana as friends.

Death at 63: Sir David Tang, right, pictured with Kate Moss
Getty

He was known for his A-list parties and exotic holidays in places such as Bhutan and the Sahara desert.

When The Evening Standard asked about his high-profile friendships, Sir David said: ‘I wouldn’t say I collect them, I value them. One should never expect friendship to serve as a currency for anything. My favourite Churchill quote is: “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” I’m extraordinarily lucky to have so many friends across such a diverse group of people. One day I’ll be at Oxford, the next at some complete idiot’s lunch.’

He was known amongst his friendship groups for his biting and satirical tone. In an interview with the Financial Times in 2010, Sir David said he would like to be remembered by a Hilaire Belloc quote: ‘When I am dead, I hope it may be said: His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.’

Sir David Tang with Stephen Fry
AFP/Getty Images

Earlier this month, Sir David had announced he was throwing a 'farewell to life' party at The Dorchester in London, after learning he had just months to live.

In the invitation, he said the ‘best way to go would be to give a party where we can see each other at least one time more, rather than at a memorial service where I shall be dead as a dodo’.

Tragically, the party was planned for September 6, just seven days after he died.

‘David had been unwell on and off for a period, but actually his recent illness is a relatively short (one) - this has all happened in the last four weeks,’ Mr Ventersm CEO of Fortnum and Mason and close friend of Sir David told the Telegraph. ‘There was an understanding amongst his friends, and hence why he organised a memorial, that by definition he was not going to come through. It was a matter of time.’

Who has paid tribute to Sir David?

Russell Crowe was among the first to pay tribute to Sir David, tweeting, ‘The privilege was mine’, and describing him as ‘witty, charming, intellectual, salacious and hilarious’.

Comedian David Walliams, meanwhile, wrote: ‘The world is a poorer place without the legendary wit. It was a party to be near him.’

News correspondent John Simpson said he was ‘very sad to hear of death of Sir David Tang’, adding that he was a ‘generous host, man of superb taste, great raconteur: spirit of Hong Kong at its former best’.

Naomi Campbell tweeted: ‘There will never be another like you.’

Tracey Emin told Londoner’s Diary: "Some of the funniest times of my life have been with Sir David Tang, the most recent last year, when he made me help him escape from hospital. It was like a scene from from a Peter Sellers movie. Life is certainly going to be a lot emptier without him."

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