These women leaders contribute to the growth of Asia’s top conglomerates
Many of the richest women of Asia’s Most Influential derive their wealth from enduring family enterprises that dominate industries such as property development, hospitality and food manufacturing. Among the richest people in the world, they take on leadership roles, driving growth and further success in their companies.
While women make up only 369 out of 2,781 billionaires on this year’s Forbes World’s Billionaires List, these business leaders hopefully represent a rising tide that signals a more equitable gender split in the world’s top companies. Already the slice is growing: last year there were only 337 women billionaires, and this year the 369 women on the list have seen their collective wealth grow by about US$240 billion, coming to a total of US$1.8 trillion.
The richest woman in the world continues to be Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the heiress and vice-chairman of L’Oréal, whose personal worth grew by US$19 billion in 2023, to a total of US$99.5 billion. Her popularity, however, is dwarfed by that of the list’s most eye-catching newcomer, Taylor Swift, whose record-breaking Eras Tour vaulted her into the billionaire’s ranks in October 2023. Interestingly, too, Mackenzie Scott, whose divorce from Jeff Bezos left her with a personal fortune that is now worth US$35.6 billion, is fifth among the women on the Forbes list. She would have ranked higher had she not given away a total of US$17.3 billion over her lifetime of philanthropic giving.
There are a total of 42 women in the world who are newcomers to the Forbes list—including Solina Chau, who is also on Asia’s Most Influential. A growing number, like Chau, are self-made. There may be a long road ahead, but the numbers show that women are on their way to realising a world where tremendous success knows no boundaries.
Also read: How Asia’s wealthiest billionaires are using their great wealth to help people rise out of poverty
Kwong Siu-hing, US$12 billion (Hong Kong)
With a fortune of US$12 billion, Kwong Siu-Hing, the former chairperson of Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), is the 165th-richest person in the world and the richest woman in Hong Kong. Her wealth comes from a majority stake in SHKP, one of the largest property developers in Hong Kong, with interests in residential estates, shopping malls and offices, as well as infrastructure, telecommunications and IT. Its latest developments include the Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou and the Andaz Nanjing Hexi, both of which opened in China in 2023. Beyond business, the company’s SHKP-Kwoks’ Foundation supports around 20 universities through programmes that have benefitted over 70,000 people.
Read Kwong Siu-hing’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential
