Unexpected Twist in the Ranking of Asia's Wealthiest Families – Here are the Top 5
Bloomberg has compiled the latest rankings of the wealthiest Asian families, reflecting the financial standings as of January 19. The list excludes first-generation billionaires such as Jack Ma, owner of Alibaba Group Holding, Gautam Adani from India, and fortunes concentrated in the hands of a single heir.
Most of the multi-billion dollar families have amassed their wealth from real estate investments. However, due to the ongoing crisis in China's real estate market for several years, the weakening of the Chinese economy is also being felt on the rich list.
For the first time in the past three years, not a single family from mainland China has made it into the top twenty richest in Asia.
Now let's take a look at the top 5 richest Asian families!
1.) AMBANI FAMILY
In 1957, Dhirubhai Ambani launched the precursor to what is now known as Reliance Industries. After the founder passed away in 2002, his son Mukesh Ambani took over the business. He owns the world's largest oil refinery and, in recent years, has ventured into technology, retail, and green energy sectors. The group's portfolio also includes the Ambani Jio mobile network, which is India's largest. Mukesh's twins, Isha and Akash, joined the boards of the retail and mobile services units in 2014. Their younger sibling, Anant, took over the green energy division in 2022, and in the following year, all three became members of the board of Reliance Industries.
Over three generations, the Indian family has accumulated a fortune worth $107.2 billion.
2.) HARTONO FAMILY
In 1950, Oei Wie Gwan acquired a cigarette brand that was later renamed Djarum. This business grew into one of Indonesia's largest cigarette manufacturers. After Oei's death in 1963, his sons Michael Bambang Hartono and Robert Budi Hartono diversified by investing in Bank Central Asia, which substantially contributes to the family's wealth.
Over three generations, the Indonesian family's wealth has now reached $44.8 billion.
3.) MISTRY FAMILY
The family's construction business, founded in India by Pallonji Mistry in 1865, evolved into the Shapoorji Pallonji Group. Pallonji Mistry's grandson of the same name led the conglomerate until 2012, when he retired and was succeeded by Shapoor Mistry. The group's activities include engineering, real estate development, infrastructure, and financial services. A significant portion of the family's wealth is tied up in Tata Sons, the holding company behind Tata Group, which controls Jaguar Land Rover. Family disputes have impacted the structure of the wealth, leading to Tata Sons becoming a private entity and thereby restricting the ability of the Mistrys to sell their stake. When Tata Sons offered to buy out the family, they could not agree on a price.
Over five generations, the Indian family has amassed wealth amounting to $36.2 billion.
4.) KWOK FAMILY
In 1972, food wholesaler Kwok Tak-seng founded Sun Hung Kai Properties, which has grown into one of Hong Kong's largest property developers and the cornerstone of the Kwok family's wealth. Also, Sun Hung Kai is building one of Hong Kong's largest solar power networks with approximately 14,600 solar panels. The company is now led by Kwok Tak-seng's sons, Thomas and Raymond.
The Hong Kong family has built a fortune of $32.3 billion over three generations.
5.) CHEARAVANONT FAMILY
After fleeing his typhoon-stricken South China village in 1921, Chia Ek Chor, along with his brother, began a new life in Bangkok, securing their livelihood by selling seeds. The small business was eventually taken over by Chia's youngest son, Dhanin Chearavanont, and later his sons. Through the century, it evolved from a road-side stall into a massive conglomerate known as Charoen Pokphand Group, encompassing food, retail, and telecom sectors. Dhanin's grandson, Korawad, founded the tech startup Amity in 2020, which includes CP Group units among its clients. The Chearavanont family has also invested $2 billion in emerging Southeast Asian companies.
Over four generations, the Thai family has garnered a fortune totaling $31.2 billion.
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