Subtítulo: How the creators of Tiger Balm built an eccentric legacy through scandal, wealth, and tragedy.
It all began with a cigarette. The Tiger Balm King, Aw Boon Haw, had a bad day that only worsened when a lit match burned a hole in his expensive suit at a prestigious club in the 1930s. Furious after losing a string of bets, Boon Haw was insulted by a fellow gambler’s offers of trousers and inappropriate rewards. His anger erupted into a challenge for a fifty-thousand-dollar bet, one of many dramatic moments in his life.
The Rise of the Aw Brothers
During my last visit to Haw Par Villa, I discovered a pavilion housing an exhibition about Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, the brothers behind the villa. Their lives were marked by extraordinary wealth, a bitter rivalry, and many teenage wives. Their story, filled with flamboyant cars and eccentric behaviors, rivals that of any prequel to Crazy Rich Asians.
Crazy Rich Origins
Boon Haw and Boon Par were born into a poor Hakka family in Rangoon. Despite their modest beginnings, they revolutionized their father’s herbal remedies business by creating the now-famous Tiger Balm ointment. Boon Haw, the more rebellious brother, had a tumultuous youth, often in trouble, while Boon Par stayed on the straight path. After their father’s death, the brothers reunited and turned Tiger Balm into a global success.
Wealth and Rivalry
Boon Haw’s wealth became legendary, with one gambling incident involving a fifty-thousand-dollar card bet. His bitter rivalry with business magnate Tan Kah Kee led to Boon Haw founding his own newspaper to counter Tan’s influence. Despite his reckless behavior, the Aw family was also known for their philanthropy, donating millions to schools, hospitals, and various causes throughout Southeast Asia.
The Tiger Balm King’s Extravagant Life
Known for his outrageous spectacles, Boon Haw once wore 18-carat gold glasses and drove a custom car featuring a tiger’s head. His eccentricity was matched by his philanthropy and business prowess. His multiple wives and opulent lifestyle were the talk of the town, though tensions simmered within the family.
Family Tragedies
Despite their immense success, the Aw family endured significant tragedies. Boon Par passed away in 1944, with a prophecy that his brother would follow in ten years. True to this, Boon Haw died just shy of that timeframe. The family also faced the loss of several children, adding a somber note to their otherwise flamboyant legacy.
The Fall of the Family Business
In 1971, the family lost control of Haw Par Brothers in a hostile takeover. Shortly afterward, Aw Cheng Chye, Boon Par’s son, died of a stroke, marking the end of the family’s direct involvement in the business. A tragic theory about a seven-tier pagoda built by Boon Haw haunts the family’s legacy.
The Untold Drama of Haw Par Villa
Although no film or drama series has captured the Aw brothers’ fascinating lives, local theater performances have brought parts of their story to life. The brothers’ contributions to business, philanthropy, and Singapore’s cultural landscape remain as colorful and dramatic as the villa they left behind.
