Family dynasties are located all over the world and quite a number of them are in Asia – Hyundai, Samsung, Peninsula Hotel Group, Reliance Industries – all of these companies have made multibillions for the families that founded, own, and/or run them. The family of Mukesh Ambani – the head of Reliance Industries – is still the richest man, and therefore family, in Asia.
The 20 wealthiest families in Asia are worth more than $450 billion combined – highlighting how the current economic climate is making rich people even wealthier and widening the gap between the wealthy and the rest of the population. Hong Kong minted six of the biggest family fortunes and has one of the widest wealth gaps of any country in the world.
Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani (R) with wife Nita Ambani attends the wedding reception his daughter Isha Ambani (2nd R) who wedded Anand Piramal (R), son of Indian billionaire industrialist Ajay Piramal (Photo by SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Familiar names are missing from this list. Jack Ma, for instance. This is a list of the wealthiest dynasties in Asia, so first-generation fortunes like Ma's, or those that are run by a single heir, do not quality. When you consider Ma's $39 billion fortune, Ma Huateng's $42 billion fortune, and Tadashi Yanai's $17 billion fortune – well, its staggering how many multi-billion fortunes reside in Asian countries. Thanks to the rise of the tech industry and a global economy, the wealthy are making their millions and billions all over the world, not just in the West.
#20. Chung Family
Country: Korea
Source of wealth: Hyundai
Net Worth: $13.5 billion
#19. Lee Family
Country: Hong Kong
Source of wealth: Lee Kum Kee oyster sauce
Net Worth: $14.7 billion
#18. Torii/Saji Family
Country: Japan
Source of wealth: Alcohol distributor
Net Worth: $14.8 billion
#17. Ho Family
Country: Hong Kong
Source of wealth: Casinos and Hotels
Net Worth: $14.9 billion
#16. Hinduja Family
Country: India
Source of wealth: Energy, automotive, finance, health care
Net Worth: $16 billion
#15. Tsai Family
Country: Taiwan
Source of wealth: Cathay Financial/Insurance
Net Worth: $16.2 billion
#14. Pao Family
Country: Hong Kong
Source of wealth: Property development
Net Worth: $16.7 billion
#13. Ng Family
Country: Singapore
Source of wealth: Soy Sauce/Property development
Net Worth: $13.2 billion
#12. Cheng Family
Country: Hong Kong
Source of wealth: Jewelry
Net Worth: $18.2 billion
#11. Kwek/Quek Family
Country: Singapore/Malaysia
Source of wealth: Property development/finance/hospitality
Net Worth: $18.4 billion
#10. Kadoorie Family
Country: Hong Kong
Source of wealth: Peninsula Hotel Group
Net Worth: $18.5 billion
#9. Chirathivat Family
Country: Thailand
Source of wealth: Jd.com/retail
Net Worth: $20.3 billion
#8. Sy Family
Country: Philippines
Source of wealth: Retail – department stores and supermarkets
Net Worth: $20.9 billion
#7. Mistry Family
Country: India
Source of wealth: Construction
Net Worth: $21.1 billion
#6. Yoovidhya Family
Country: Thailand
Source of wealth: Red Bull
Net Worth: $24.5 billion
#5. Lee Family
County: South Korea
Source of wealth: Samsung
Net Worth: $28.5 billion
#4. Hartono Family
Country: Indonesia
Source of wealth: Cigarettes/banking
Net Worth: $32.5 billion
#3. Chearavanont Family
Country: Thailand
Source of wealth: Food/retail/telecom
Net Worth: $37.9 billion
#2. Kwok Family
Country: Hong Kong
Source of wealth: Poperty development
Net Worth: $38 billion
#1. Ambani Family
Country: India
Source of wealth: Reliance Industries-oil/telecom
Net Worth: $50.4 billion
