Who are the richest families in Asia: the new elite conquering the world

Forget for a moment the Kochs, the Waltons and the Arnaults.
Within the prestigious club of the richest families in the world there is also space for the "Asian family clans", i.e.
the exponents – as well as protagonists – of Asia's continuous economic growth.
These dynasties are at the head of sprawling conglomerates with tentacles wrapped around the main strategic sectors of their respective countries, from the sale and distribution of agri-food products to the processing of fossil fuels.
As of 2023, Asia's 15 richest families controlled a combined wealth worth $400 billion.
Net of the changes that occurred in the first two months of 2024, in the top 10 we find three Indian families, two of which are on the podium: the Ambanis and the Mistrus.
Considering the top 20, there are no representatives from mainland China, but there are various families from Hong Kong.
Let's try to better understand who the Scrooges of Asia are.
The three richest families in Asia First place is the absolute prerogative of the Ambanis, who have recovered greatly after having to deal with some losses and who maintain assets of 102.7 billion euros (more than double those of occupies second place in the ranking).
The wealth of this Indian family comes from Mumbai-based conglomerate Reliance Industries.
Dhirubhai Ambani, Mukesh and Anil's father, began building the precursor to Reliance Industries in the late 1950s.
After his death in 2002, his widow negotiated an agreement between his children over control of the family fortune.
Mukesh is now at the helm of the conglomerate, which owns, among other assets, the world's largest oil refining complex.
The giant has expanded into technology, retail and even green energy, with the founder's sons responsible for the various business units.
Mukesh lives in a 27-story villa, in a structure described as the most expensive private residence in the world.
In second place we find the Haritonos (Indonesia), a dynasty that has amassed a fortune of 44.8 billion dollars by selling cigarettes.
As Bloomberg explained, Oei Wie Gwan bought a brand of cigarettes in 1950 and renamed it Djarum.
The company then grew to become one of the largest cigarette manufacturers in Indonesia, and after Oei's death in 1963, his sons diversified the company's assets by investing in Bank Central Asia.
In third place we find another Indian family: the Mistrys (36.2 billion dollars).
The family business was founded in India in 1865, when Pallonji Mistry's grandfather started a construction business with an Englishman.
Shapoorji Pallonji Group now spans various business areas, including engineering and construction.
Most of the family's fortune is not liquid: it is held in Tata Sons, the main holding company behind Tata Group (which in turn controls Jaguar Land Rover).
From India to Hong Kong: how the richest dynasties on the Asian continent have become.
The ranking dedicated to the top 20 of the richest Asian families is completed by the Kwoks (Hong Kong, 32.3 billion), owners of Sun Hung Kai Properties, a company active in real estate sector, the Chearavanonts (Thailand, 31.2 billion) at the helm of the Charoen Pokphand Group conglomerate, the Yoovidhyas (Thailand, 30.2 billion) with TCP Group (Food & Beverages), the Jindals (India, 27.6 billion) , at the helm of the Jindal industrial group of the same name, the Tsai (Taiwan, 24 billion) with Cathay Financial and Fubon Financial, the Cheng (Hong Kong, 23.6 billion), with the jeweler Chow Tai Fook Jewelery and the real estate company New World , the Birlas (India, 21.8 billion), with the conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, the Pao/Woo (Hong Kong, 20.7 billion), with BW Group and Wheelock.
And again: the Lees (South Korea, 18.2 billion), at the head of Samsung, the Bajajs (India, 17.1 billion), with the conglomerate of the same name Bajaj Group, the Kwek/Quek (Singapore, 16 billion) , with the real estate Hong Leong Group, the Sy (Philippines, 16 billion), with the conglomerate SM, the Kadoorie (Hong Kong, 15.4 billion), with the energy supplier Clp Holdings, the Lee (Hong Kong, 14 .3 billion), with retail Lee Kum Kee, the Chirathivat (Thailand, 14.2 billion), at the head of the Central Group conglomerate, the Hinduja (India, 13.9 billion), with the Hinduja Group of the same name present in the sector financial and real estate, and Torii/Saji (Japan, 13.3 billion), present in Food & Beverages with Suntory.
It's worth starting to familiarize yourself with all these names.
Some already influence our daily lives through their economic activities.
Others are ready to carve out more and more space for themselves on the global scene.
read also The Chinese yuan takes hold in Russia: what is happening in Moscow