What a remarkable year it has been for successful billionaires in Asia! Forbes recently released its 2024 list of the world’s billionaires, revealing a staggering collective net worth of US$14.2 trillion (approximately RM67.4 trillion), which is a US$2 trillion increase from 2023. This highlights the significant growth of entrepreneurs worldwide.
Unsurprisingly, Mukesh Ambani, whose son recently had a lavish wedding, secured the 9th spot on the list with a net worth of $116 billion, making him the richest individual in Asia. Ambani is the chairman of Reliance Industries Limited, a conglomerate that focuses on petrochemicals, textiles, and telecommunications.
Following closely behind is another Indian tycoon, Gautam Adani of the Adani Group, with a net worth of $32.8 billion. The Adani Group deals with exporting and importing raw materials and finished goods, including coal trading, mining, oil and gas exploration. In Japan, Tadashi Yanai and his family made their mark with a net worth of $42.8 billion, thanks to their retail clothing empire, Fast Retailing, which is the parent company of the Uniqlo chain.
In Malaysia, several individuals have also joined the ranks of Asia’s richest. No stranger to the list and reigning supreme is Tan Sri Robert Kuok, with a net worth of US$11.4 billion. He is the owner of Kuok Group, which operates across various sectors including hospitality, agriculture, real estate, and freight and logistics. Following him is Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan, the chairman of Hong Leong Group, with a net worth of US$8.8 billion.
Here are the top 20 of Asia’s wealthiest people, according to Forbes.
- Mukesh Ambani, India: $116 Billion
- Gautam Adani, India: $84 Billion
- Zhong Shanshan, China: $62.3 Billion
- Prajogo Pangestu, Indonesia: $43.4 Billion
- Zhang Yiming, China: $43.4 Billion
- Tadashi Yanai, Japan: $42.8 Billion
- Colin Huang, China: $38.9 Billion
- Li Ka-shing, Hong Kong: $37.3 Billion
- Shiv Nadar, India: $36.9 Billion
- Masayoshi Son, Japan: $32.1 Billion.
- Lee Shau Kee, Hong Kong: $27.7 Billion
- Low Tuck Kwong, Indonesia: $27.4 Billion
- Jack Ma, China: $24.5 Billion
- Takemitsu Takizaki, Japan: $23.1 Billion
- Li Xiting, Singapore: $15.1 Billion
- Tan Sri Robert Kuok, Malaysia: US$11.4 Billion
- Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan, Malaysia: $8.8 Billion
- Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan, Malaysia: $4.9 Billion
- Tan Sri Koon Poh Keong, Malaysia: $3.7 Billion
- Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor, Malaysia: $3.1 Billion
