Mochtar Riady is easily one of the most recognisable figures in business in Asia. Time and again in his career, he has shown his Midas touch, improving every business or financial institution he joins despite the odds. Today, his diversified company Lippo Group has imprints in finance, real estate, retail, healthcare, media, and education.

The titan’s influence is written all over various sectors in society other than business. Riady established educational institutions and served as chairman or board member in various universities in Indonesia, China and the US. As a noted philanthropist, his namesake centre for cancer research, the Mochtar Riady Institute for Nanotechnology in Indonesia, was founded in 2006, and has since made great strides in improving research and medical education in the country.

Riady is also an author. His 2016 autobiography My Life Story traces his beginnings, from a 22-year-old bike-shop proprietor in East Java to becoming one of Indonesia’s richest people, all the while teaching his acolytes how to strive for success.