Who is I. M. Pei? See Net-worth, Quote, Awards, Fact, Wiki

Wiki Biography

Born on 26 April 1917, I.M Pei is a Chinese-American architect most famous for designing state-of-the-art buildings such as the National Gallery of Art East Building, the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the John F. Kennedy in Boston, the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, and the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong.

So, just how rich is I.M. Pei, as of 2017? Authoritative sources estimate Pei´s net worth to be over $20 million, amassing his fortune primarily because of his skills as a world-class architect, designing several architectural masterpieces.

I. M. Pei Net Worth $20 million

Born to Tsuyee Pei and Lien Kwun in Guangzhou, China, Pei was one of five children in the family. He was particular close to his mother, a devout Buddhist, and they would frequently spend time together on meditation retreats. Pei´s father´s promotion meant that the family had to move to Shanghai when he was 10 years old, where he attended Saint John’s Middle School and it was there where he grew to love playing billiards and watching Hollywood movies. The man also taught himself English by reading the Bible and novels written by Charles Dickens. Regrettably, it was during that time that Pei´s mother developed cancer and she passed away only a few weeks after Pei´s thirteenth birthday. Pei and his siblings were then sent to live with the extended family, especially after his father became consumed by his work. Although Pei was never really close to his father, his mother´s death meant that they would be more physically distant than before.

For his higher education, Pei decided to enroll himself in the University of Pennsylvania. Explaining his decision to move to the States, Pei said in 2000, ¨ College life in the U.S seemed to me to be mostly fun and games and I wanted to be part of it.” However, soon intimidated by the drafting proficiency showed by his peers, he decided to transfer to MIT for an engineering program, and received his BArch degree in 1940. Although he originally planned to head back home after his graduation, Pei had to change his plans because of the Second Sino-Japanese War, and so joined the Boston Engineering firm, Stone & Webster. After being introduced to the faculty at Harvard´s Graduate School of Design by his future wife, Eileen, and impressed by the lively atmosphere, he undertook his MArch degree there, where he first got the opportunity to plan for an art museum in Shanghai. He then joined the architectural firm, Webb & Knapp, Inc., as its director of architecture. Soon he established his own firm, I.M. Pei & Associates in 1955, and was given the responsibilities of creating and erecting the Mile High Center in Denver, Colorado.

He later devised a plan, following instructions from John F. Kennedy´s wife, Jacqueline, to build the John F. Kennedy in Boston in 1979. He then created the west wing of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 1980 and the Fragrant Hill Hotel in China in 1983.

Talking about his personal life, Pei was married to Eileen Loo for over seventy years before her demise in June 2014. The duo initially met when Pei visited the big apple in the late 30s. At the time, Eileen Loo was a student at Wellesley College. The couple tied the knot in the spring of 1942. While together, Eileen gave birth to three sons, Tíng, Chein, and Li, and a daughter, Liane.