Zhao Anji, chairman and CEO of Fumao Group, died in a car accident
On February 13, according to a number of media sources, Angela Chao, chairman and CEO of Foremost Group, died in a car accident in the early morning of February 12 at the age of 50. Fumao Group and the Zhao family issued obituaries on the 12th respectively, confirming the news of Zhao Anji's death.
According to U.S. media reports, Zhao Anji was killed after being killed in a car accident on February 10, 2024, while she was attending a business meeting in Austin, Texas. Specifically, according to the police report, her car was hit by a speeding truck running a red light at an intersection at the time of the incident, and she was pronounced dead on the spot. The truck driver was subsequently arrested and charged with drunk driving and manslaughter.
Anji Chao is the youngest daughter of the American Chinese ship king Zhao Xicheng, and the sister of the first Chinese cabinet secretary in the United States, Elaine Chao. She has been leading the family shipping company founded by her father since 2018 and is a leading figure in the U.S. shipping industry. Anji graduated magna laude from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in economics. She earned her MBA from Harvard Business School, where she wrote a case study on the industry based on her interest and knowledge of shipping, which is still read by first-year college students.
After graduating from university, Zhao did not immediately work in the family business, but first worked in the merger and procurement department of Smith Barney, formerly of Citigroup, to continue his social experience. From 2001 to 2008, he served as Vice President of Fumao Group, and was later promoted to Senior Vice President and Vice Chairman of Fumao Group, and finally became Chairman and CEO of Fumao Group in 2018.
After taking the top job, she said her parents encouraged her and her sisters to be leaders and not be intimidated by the "biased rhetoric" they faced, as only the Zhao family's daughter could take over the company.
"Anji Zhao is a formidable executive and shipping industry leader, as well as a proud and loving daughter, sister, aunt, wife and mother. ”
Founded in 1964 in New York, the company is engaged in international shipping, finance and international trade. The founder of the group, Captain James Chao, is the father of the famous Chinese-American and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao.
In another family statement, he announced his daughter's death "with a heavy heart and deep sadness." "We are saddened that losing her at such a young age is something we never thought we would have," he said. ”
The youngest of his six daughters, Mr Chiu has been interested in shipping since she was a child, and he recalls that in the days of "taking her daughter to work", Mr. Chiu was a brilliant and curious companion.
He also mentioned that his daughter's precocious personality and strong intellectual curiosity from a young age made her popular with everyone and helped her excel in everything she did. As a beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt, wife and friend, Zhao Anji has always been filial, considerate, kind, dedicated, altruistic, and always witty, bringing endless laughter and happiness to those around her. Angela believes that the true treasures in life are family, friends and helping others.
In the obituary, the Zhao family mentioned that although Zhao Anji was born in the United States, she never forgot her roots and helped build bridges between East and West throughout her life. She also serves as Honorary President of the American Alumni Association of Chiao Tung University, Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of the Asian American Foundation, and a member of the Young Leaders Forum of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, and Honorary Chair of the U.S.-China Relations Commission.
△ The Asian American Foundation released an obituary.
It is worth mentioning that Zhao Anji is also a member of the board of directors of Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation. Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation was founded in 1984 by Fumao Group, is one of the earliest private charitable funds in China, is a local non-public foundation, the purpose of the foundation: to reward the domestic engaged in the shipping industry "in the college, school academic performance, outstanding talent" students and "in education, scientific research positions have outstanding achievements, social benefits are significant, the construction of the four has a significant contribution to the construction of the four scientific and technological personnel", and from time to time to send outstanding personnel to study abroad for further study, in order to cultivate senior talents.
Extended reading:
Zhao Anji, chairman and CEO of Fumao Group, died in a car accident, and his father mourned: losing her was something he never thought of