You might remember Gigi Chao whose father offered millions of dollars in reward to any man who could convince his daughter to marry. Now, the 37-year-old Gigi, who is a proud lesbian, made headlines again for placing 1st in the 2016 Leading 100 LGBT Executives, an annual list compiled by Financial Times and OUTStanding.

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Gigi is the current executive vice chairman of Cheuk Nang Holdings Inc., one of the largest real estate company in Hong Kong. Her father Cecil Chao Sze-tsung is a real estate tycoon popular in the media as a womanizer.

The Leading 100 LGBT Executives honor executives who are proudly out of the closet and participate or lead activities inside and outside the workplace that makes the corporate world a more welcoming place for the LGBTQ community. Their business achievements and influence are also taken into consideration.

"She is a visible and vocal advocate for taking pride in one's LGBTQ identity and regularly speaks on LGBT inclusion in the corporate workplace and beyond," the report wrote.

It also noted that Gigi co-founded Big Love Alliance, a nonprofit charity that promotes equal rights for the LGBTQ, is an ambassador for Aids Concern, and has spoken around the world in different forums about accepting the LGBTQ community and the challenges they face today.

Gigi dethroned Inga Beale, the Chief Executive Officer of Lloyd's London office and 2015's number one executive. The list also includes Jonathan Mildenhall, chief marketing officer of Airbnb, Prezi CEO Peter Arvai, Burberry's Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey, and Google executive Arjan Dijk.

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Gigi is arguably the most famous lesbian in Asia. In 2012, upon learning that Gigi and her partner since 2005 Sean Eav, who is now 48 years old, wed in a church in Paris, her father Cecil announced a HK$500 million (US$65 million) reward to any man who could woo Gigi and make her change her sexual preference. He doubled it to HK$1 billion (US$128 million) in 2014, but dropped it later that year after Gigi penned an open letter to her father asking for acceptance.

Gigi and Sean's 11-year relationship is still going strong until today.

In her letter published on the South China Morning Post, she admitted that although she was happy with her previous relationships with men, it was short-lived and soon became uncomfortable, breaking men's hearts in the process.

"But with Sean, a woman, somehow it was different. I am comfortable and satisfied with my life and completely at ease with her. It would mean the world to me if you could just not be so terrified of her, and treat her like a normal, dignified human being," she wrote.

Cecil withdrew the reward, but stood his ground on not accepting Gigi's wife. He told CNN that the offer is off the table "for the time being, until she changes her mind."

In an interview with Reuters, Gigi clarified that she does not harbor any ill feelings toward her father, as she feels that her father thinks he's only acting on her best interests.

Homosexuality in Hong Kong was considered a criminal offense up until 1991, but gay marriage is not yet legal.  

TagsGigi Chao, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBT in Hong Kong, gay marriage in Hong Kong, Leading 100 LGBT Executives, Financial Times, OUTStanding