Asia is home to some of the world’s richest people, many of whom have amassed their fortunes in diverse industries such as technology and real estate. Forbes’ 2021 Billionaires List ranks the top 10 richest person in Asia with a combined net worth of over $550 billion USD. Leading the list is Indian entrepreneur Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman of Reliance Industries, with a net worth of $95.7 billion USD. Zhong Shanshan, the Chinese businessman who founded Nongfu Spring and Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy, follows closely behind with a net worth of $87.5 billion USD. Other notable names on the list include Pinduoduo founder Colin Zheng Huang and Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group.
- Top Five Benefits of Starting a Business as a Student
- Top 10 Companies in Bangladesh 2024
- Top 10 Groups of Companies in Bangladesh (2024)
- Top 10 Billionaires in Bangladesh 2024 | Meet the Richest Titans from Bangladesh
- Top 10 Best Furniture Stores Online in the UK
These successful individuals have built their wealth through various methods such as innovative business strategies, wise investments, and sheer hard work. They have made significant contributions to their respective industries and continue to shape the economic landscape of Asia and beyond.It’s worth noting that these net worths may have changed since Forbes published the list, and there could be other affluent individuals in Asia who are not included. Nevertheless, the success and influence of these billionaires demonstrate the massive potential for entrepreneurship and wealth creation in the region.
Top 10 Richest People in Asia by Forbes
1. Mukesh Ambani – $95.7 billion USD
In Asia, Mukesh Ambani is an Indian businessman and the Chairman of Reliance Industries, with a net worth of $95.7 billion USD according to Forbes’ 2021 Billionaires List. Ambani’s wealth comes from his family-owned conglomerate, Reliance Industries, which has interests in diverse sectors such as petrochemicals, refining, oil, and gas exploration. Under his leadership, Reliance Industries has become a global leader in the telecommunications industry with the launch of Reliance Jio, India’s largest mobile network operator.
Ambani’s rise to the top has not been without its challenges, as he faced fierce competition from other telecom operators and regulatory hurdles. However, he persevered and continued to innovate, leading to his company’s success and his personal wealth. Aside from his business ventures, Ambani is also known for his philanthropic work. He founded the Reliance Foundation, which focuses on areas such as education, health, and disaster response. His efforts to improve the lives of others have earned him widespread respect and admiration.Ambani’s success is a testament to the potential for entrepreneurship and wealth creation in Asia. His innovative business strategies and hard work have made him not only the richest person in Asia but also one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
2. Zhong Shanshan – $87.5 billion USD
Zhong Shanshan, the Chinese businessman and founder of Nongfu Spring and Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy, is one of the wealthiest individuals in the world and the second richest person in Asia with a net worth of $87.5 billion USD. Zhong’s fortune comes from his stakes in Nongfu Spring, China’s leading bottled water company, and Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy, which went public in April 2021. The latter company played a critical role in the fight against COVID-19 by developing a COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized for emergency use in China.
Zhong’s success is a result of his innovative business strategies and relentless work ethic. He has faced numerous challenges throughout his career, including a failed attempt to list Nongfu Spring in Hong Kong in 2019. However, he persisted and went on to list Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy, which helped to catapult him to the top of the wealth rankings in Asia. Aside from his business ventures, Zhong is known for his low-key lifestyle and philanthropic efforts. He has made significant donations to various charities and causes, including wildlife conservation and education.Zhong’s rise to the top of the wealth rankings is a testament to the potential for entrepreneurship and wealth creation in Asia. His innovative business strategies, hard work, and contributions to society have earned him immense respect and admiration.
3. Colin Zheng Huang – $69.2 billion USD
Colin Zheng Huang is a Chinese entrepreneur who has made his fortune by founding Pinduoduo, one of China’s largest e-commerce platforms. As of September 2021, his net worth was estimated at $69.2 billion USD, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List.Huang established Pinduoduo in 2015 with a vision to create a social commerce platform that would combine e-commerce and social networking. The platform allows users to buy products at lower prices by forming teams with friends or family members to make group purchases. This unique business model has enabled Pinduoduo to rapidly grow its customer base, which now stands at over 800 million active buyers as of 2021.
Huang’s success can be attributed to his entrepreneurial spirit and his ability to identify and seize opportunities in the market. By introducing a new business model to the e-commerce industry, he has disrupted the market and created a loyal customer base.Aside from his business ventures, Huang has also been recognized for his philanthropic efforts. In early 2020, he donated $14.3 million to fight against COVID-19, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to the community.
4. Gautam Adani $71.3 billion USD
Indian billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani is the head of the Adani Group, a conglomerate with interests in, among other things, ports, transportation, electricity production, and agriculture. Adani’s net worth was estimated by Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List to be $71.3 billion USD as of the knowledge cutoff date of September 2021. Before launching his own trading company, Adani Enterprises, in 1988, Adani began his career as a diamond sorter in Mumbai. He has since expanded his company through a combination of greenfield ventures and acquisitions. The Adani Group has expanded to become one of India’s largest private sector businesses, operating in more than 50 nations.
In recent years, Adani’s performance in the renewable energy industry has been particularly noteworthy. The Adani Group subsidiary Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) won bids to construct 8 gigawatts (GW) of solar projects for the Indian government in 2019, which at the time was the largest-ever award for solar power in the world. As of 2021, AGEL had a total renewable energy capacity of over 24 GW, making it the largest solar power developer in India. Adani has also been associated with contentious projects, such as the development of a brand-new coal mine in Australia that has drawn condemnation from environmental organizations. Adani, though, has defended the project, claiming that it will give India energy security and create jobs.
5. Ma Huateng | $59.3 billion USD
Ma Huateng, also known as Pony Ma, is a Chinese billionaire businessman and the co-founder and CEO of Tencent Holdings Limited, one of the largest technology companies in China. As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, Ma’s net worth was estimated to be $59.3 billion USD, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List. Ma co-founded Tencent in 1998 and has since built it into a behemoth in the Chinese technology industry. The company’s flagship product is WeChat, a messaging app that has over 1 billion active users worldwide. In addition to WeChat, Tencent also operates a wide range of businesses, including online gaming, social media, online payment services, and cloud computing.
Ma’s leadership has been instrumental in Tencent’s success. He has focused on building a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the company, which has helped Tencent to stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving technology industry. Under his leadership, Tencent has also expanded its global footprint, with investments in companies such as Tesla, Snap, and Spotify. Ma is also known for his philanthropic efforts. In 2016, he established the Tencent Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes, including education, poverty alleviation, and disaster relief.
- Top 10 Best Furniture Stores Online in the UK
- Top 10 Mobile Phone Brands in the UK
- Top 10 Motorcycle Brands in the UK
- Top 10 Best High-end Furniture Stores in the UK
- Top 10 Highest Salary Paying Companies in the UK
6. Jack Ma | $45.6 billion USD
Jack Ma is a well-known Chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist, and as of September 2021, his net worth was estimated at $45.6 billion USD, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List. Ma is the co-founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group, a multinational technology conglomerate that operates in various industries, including e-commerce, cloud computing, and digital media. Ma’s success can be attributed to his visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. In 1999, he co-founded Alibaba in his apartment in Hangzhou, China, with a vision to create an online marketplace for small businesses. The company grew rapidly, and by 2014, it had become the world’s largest initial public offering (IPO) at the time, raising $25 billion USD.
In addition to his business ventures, Ma is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He established the Jack Ma Foundation in 2014 with the goal of promoting education, environmental protection, and public health. In early 2020, he donated millions of dollars worth of medical supplies to various countries to help fight against COVID-19. Despite his success, Ma has faced some setbacks in recent years. In 2020, he disappeared from public view for several months after criticizing Chinese regulators, leading to speculation about his whereabouts. He has since resurfaced and stepped down from his position as executive chairman of Alibaba.
7. Yang Huiyan | $36.1 billion USD
Yang Huiyan is a prominent Chinese businesswoman and the Vice-Chairman of Country Garden Holdings, one of the largest real estate development companies in China. As of the Forbes 2021 Billionaires List, her net worth is estimated at $36.1 billion USD. Yang inherited her fortune from her father, Yeung Kwok Keung, who founded Country Garden in 1992. She joined the company in 2005 and has since played a pivotal role in its growth and success. Under her leadership, Country Garden has become a major player in China’s real estate industry, with operations in over 100 cities.
Yang’s success can be attributed to her business acumen and strategic vision. She has focused on expanding Country Garden’s presence in both the domestic and international markets, with projects in countries such as Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In addition, she has invested in research and development to incorporate sustainable practices into the company’s operations. Apart from her business success, Yang is also known for her philanthropic efforts. She has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education and disaster relief. In 2020, she donated medical supplies to hospitals in Wuhan to help fight against COVID-19. Despite her success, Yang has faced some challenges in recent years. In 2019, she resigned from her position as the Chairwoman of Bright Scholar Education Holdings, a Chinese education company, after being criticized for conflicts of interest.
- Develop Your Interview Skills
- How to Write Better?
- How to Learn Faster?
- Why You Need a Powerful Personal Branding?
- Build a Powerful Personality
8. Shiv Nadar | $31.9 billion USD
Shiv Nadar is an Indian businessman and philanthropist who has made a significant impact in the technology industry. As of September 2021, his net worth was estimated at $31.9 billion USD, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List. Nadar is the founder and chairman of HCL Technologies, a multinational IT services company based in India. He founded the company in 1976 with a vision to provide world-class technology solutions to businesses. Under his leadership, HCL has grown into a major player in the global technology industry, with operations in over 50 countries.
In addition to his business ventures, Nadar is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He established the Shiv Nadar Foundation in 1994 with the goal of promoting education and nurturing the next generation of leaders. The foundation has since established various institutions, including the Shiv Nadar University and the VidyaGyan schools, which provide quality education to underprivileged students. Nadar’s success can be attributed to his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. He was one of the pioneers of India’s technology industry, and his contributions have helped to establish India as a major player in the global technology market. He has also been recognized for his leadership and business acumen, having been awarded numerous honors and accolades throughout his career. Despite his success, Nadar remains humble and dedicated to giving back to society. He is committed to promoting education and social welfare, and his philanthropic efforts have impacted the lives of countless individuals.
9. Li Ka-shing | $28.5 billion USD
Li Ka-shing is a Hong Kong business magnate and investor who is widely regarded as one of Asia’s most influential and successful entrepreneurs. As of September 2021, his net worth was estimated at $28.5 billion USD, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List. Li started his business career at a young age, working in his father’s plastics factory before starting his own company in the 1950s. He went on to establish Cheung Kong Industries, which later became Cheung Kong Holdings, a major conglomerate with interests in real estate, utilities, and other industries.
Throughout his career, Li has demonstrated a keen business sense and an ability to identify and capitalize on emerging trends. He has been instrumental in the development of Hong Kong’s economy, and his companies have played a significant role in shaping the city’s skyline. In addition to his business ventures, Li is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He has donated billions of dollars to various causes, including education, medical research, and disaster relief. In 2010, he established the Li Ka-shing Foundation, which supports a range of charitable initiatives in Hong Kong and around the world. Despite his success, Li has faced some challenges in recent years. He has been criticized for his business dealings in China, and there have been concerns about the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few powerful individuals. However, Li remains a respected and influential figure in the business world. His entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, and philanthropic efforts have made him a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and a respected member of society.
10. Wang Jianlin | $15.7 billion USD
Wang Jianlin is a Chinese businessman and entrepreneur who has made a significant impact in the real estate and entertainment industries. As of September 2021, his net worth was estimated at $15.7 billion USD, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List. Jianlin is the founder of Dalian Wanda Group, a multinational conglomerate with interests in real estate, entertainment, and other industries. Under his leadership, the company has become one of China’s largest and most successful private enterprises.
Jianlin’s success can be attributed to his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. He has been instrumental in the development of China’s real estate industry, and his companies have played a significant role in shaping the country’s economy. In addition to his business ventures, Jianlin is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, healthcare, and disaster relief. In 2012, he established the Dalian Wanda Foundation, which supports a range of charitable initiatives in China and around the world. Despite his success, Jianlin has faced some challenges in recent years. His company has been affected by China’s economic slowdown, and there have been concerns about the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few powerful individuals. However, Jianlin remains a respected and influential figure in the business world. His entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, and philanthropic efforts have made him a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and a respected member of society.
Please note that the net worths listed above may have fluctuated since September 2021 and that there may be other wealthy individuals in Asia who are not mentioned here.