May Wan Kao: The Woman Behind the Father of Fiber Optics
May Wan Kao or Gwen May-Wan-Kao is the wife of Charles K. Kao, the father of fiber optics. Though she did not have a career in science and technology, May Wan played a crucial role in her husband’s success.
She assisted him with his study, giving him financial and emotional support. Her strong commitment and support for her husband’s efforts helped the communications industry develop.
Who is the wife of Charles K Kao? Amazing facts about her
| Name | Gwen May-Wan-Kao |
| Date of birth | Somewhere in 1934. |
| Born Place | United Kingdom |
| Age | 88 years (as of Feb 2023) |
| Husband | Charles K Kao |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | Chinese |
| Famous for | Being the wife of Charles K Kao |
| Net worth | $500,000 |
Gwen May Wan Kao (Huang Mei Yun) is the wife of Late Charles K. Kao, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist known as the “Father of Fiber Optics.” They tied the knot in 1959 and had two children together, namely Amanda Kao (born in 1963) and Simon Kao (born in 1961).
While May Wan did not have a formal career in science, she supported her husband’s research and played a crucial role in his success. After Charles passed away in 2018, May Wan continued to honor his legacy through charitable efforts.
Charles Kao’s wife is an Architect by profession, they both attended the University of London. The duo’s first encounter was at Standard Telephones and Cables while working in the same firm.
The family attended the Roman Catholics on the other hand May followed Anglican Communion.
Now let us delve into Charles K Kao’s Biography.
Remembering Charles K. Kao: A Pioneer in Optical Fiber Technology and Beyond
On November 4, 1933, Charles K. Kao was born in Shanghai, China. He was raised in Hong Kong and went to the Diocesan Boys’ School for his secondary education. Kao developed a keen interest in science early on, and his early exposure to radio communications served as an inspiration for his subsequent work in fibre optics.
The parents of Charles K. Kao were from Jiangxi province in China. His mother, King Tsing Fong, was a homemaker, while his father, Kao Chun-Hsiang, was a lawyer who studied at Michigan Law School. Upon turning 16, Kao’s family relocated to Hong Kong in 1949.
What was the Qualification of Charles K Kao?
Charles K. Kao had his early schooling in Hong Kong before relocating to the UK to enroll in University College London’s Electrical Engineering program, where he graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor’s degree. The next year, in 1965, Kao graduated from Imperial College London with a Ph.D. in electrical engineering.
Kao concentrated on optical communications throughout his academic career and made a number of significant contributions to the subject, including proving the viability of long-distance fiber-optic communication. His breakthrough transformed communications, and he received multiple honors, including the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Awards Won by Charles K Kao
| Name of Award | Year |
| IEEE Morris N. Liebmann Memorial Award | 1985 |
| Faraday Medal | 1989 |
| Alexander Graham Bell Medal | 1989 |
| Japan Prize | 1996 |
| CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) | 1996 |
| Charles Stark Draper Prize | 2001 |
| Royal Medal | 2004 |
| Nobel Prize in Physics (shared with Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith) | 2009 |
How did Charles K Kao die?
On September 23, 2018, Charles K. Kao passed away in Hong Kong. Before his death, he had suffered from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases for a lengthy period of time.
Gwen May-Wan-Kao is actively participating in charitable acts being the chairman of the Charles K Kao Foundation which stands for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Conclusion
Now you might be clear about Who is the wife of Charles K Kao is? May Wan Kao contributed significantly to her husband Charles K. Kao’s groundbreaking work in the realm of fiber optics. May Wan supported her husband financially and emotionally during his studies despite not having a career in science and technology.
May Wan’s work with the Charles K Kao Foundation, which supports people with Alzheimer’s disease, allowed her to carry on Charles’s legacy after he had passed away. May Wan is a role model because of her unwavering support of her husband’s endeavors and commitment to charitable causes.
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FAQs
Gwen May-Wan-Kao is the wife of the Late Charles K Kao.
Charles K Kao suffered from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease due to which he died on September 23, 2018.
Yes, Charles K Kao won Noble Prize for his research on “Transmission of light through glass medium.”
Kao-Chung-Hsiang was the father of Charles K Kao, he studied at Michigan Law School and was a Lawyer.
Charles K Kao and May Wan Kao have 2 children, namely Simon Kao and Amanda Kao.
Her birthdate is not publicly available, however, she was born somewhere in 1934. As a result, she might be 88 years old in 2023.
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