Samsung Family Ranks 10th Among Asia's Wealthiest... 1st Place 'Extravagant Wedding' Indian Family

Ambani Family of India Tops List for Third Consecutive Year
Samsung Family Is the Only Korean Entry in the Rankings

Among the top 20 wealthy families in Asia, those from India were the most numerous. The family of Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, ranked 10th, the only Korean family to make the list. On the 13th (local time), Bloomberg News announced the ranking of Asia's top 20 wealthy families. The top spot was taken by the Ambani family of Reliance Industries, India's largest oil and telecommunications conglomerate. The Ambani family was reported to hold $90.5 billion (approximately 130.55 trillion KRW) and secured the number one position for three consecutive years.

On the 13th (local time), Bloomberg News announced the ranking of Asia's top 20 wealthy families. The Ambani family of Reliance Industries, India's largest oil and telecommunications conglomerate, took first place. The Ambani family was reported to hold $90.5 billion (approximately 130.55 trillion KRW) and secured the top spot in this ranking for the third consecutive year. AP·Yonhap News

At the wedding of Ambani chairman's youngest son in July last year, prominent figures from around the world such as former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Chairman Lee Jae-yong were invited. Notably, Chairman Lee attended the weddings of the other two children of Ambani chairman as well. Samsung Electronics is closely cooperating with the Reliance Group in the field of mobile network equipment.

The second place went to the Chearavanont family, owners of Thailand's largest private company, Charoen Pokphand Group, with $42.6 billion (about 62 trillion KRW), and third place was the Hartono family from Indonesia, who operate a tobacco company, Djarum, and a Central Asian bank. The Hartono family's assets were estimated at $42.2 billion (61 trillion KRW). In Korea, the Samsung family ranked 10th with $22.7 billion (about 33 trillion KRW). Their assets increased by $4.5 billion from last year's $18.2 billion, raising their rank by two places. Among the top 20 wealthy families in Asia, six were from India, the most of any country. Next were five from Hong Kong and three from Thailand. Families from Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, China, Singapore, and the Philippines were each represented by one family.

In South Korea, the Samsung family ranked 10th with $22.7 billion (approximately 33 trillion won). Their assets increased by $4.5 billion from last year ($18.2 billion), moving up two spots in the rankings. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

There were no Japanese wealthy families on this list. Last year, the Suntory brewing company’s chairman Saji family ranked 20th, the only Japanese family to make the list, but they were excluded this year. No Chinese families made the list last year, but this year the Zhang family, owners of the aluminum smelting company Hongqiao Group and textile manufacturer Weiqiao, ranked 11th.

Regarding this ranking, Bloomberg mentioned President Trump's tariff war, stating, "Donald Trump has begun his second term. The next four years do not seem likely to pass quietly for Asia's wealthy families," and added, "The biggest issue for Asia's wealthy families is how extensive and prolonged Trump's tariff impositions and the retaliatory tariffs by other countries will be." The media specifically pointed out Chairman Lee's family and China's Zhang family, saying, "If the tariff war prolongs, these groups could be at risk." However, it also noted a positive aspect, saying, "Asian conglomerates tend to diversify and hold extensive assets, which will protect companies from volatile markets."