According to a number of ** news, 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.
Zhao Anji was killed after a car accident on February 10, 2024, while she was attending a business meeting in Austin, Texas, according to the United States**. Specifically, according to **'s 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 Anji did not immediately work in the family business, but first went to Smith, which was formerly part of Citigroup. Smith Barney continued his career in the Mergers & Acquisitions department. 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 daughters of the Zhao family 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 main business of Fumao Group includes international shipping, finance and international **. The founder of the group, Captain James Chao, is the father of Elaine Chao, a famous Chinese-American and former U.S. Secretary of Labor.
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. ”
Zhao Xicheng said that Zhao Anji, the youngest of his six daughters, has been interested in shipping since she was a child, and he recalls that in the days when he took his daughter to work, Zhao Anji was a wonderful 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 Chiao Tung University Alumni Association of the Americas, Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of the Asian American Association, 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.
It is worth mentioning that Zhao Anji is also a member of the board of directors of Shanghai Mulan Education Association. Founded in 1984 by Fumao Group, Shanghai Mulan Education Association is one of the earliest private charities in China and is a local non-public fundraising association.
*: Finance Associated Press.