Asia has become increasingly important for wealth creation as the world economy develops. Some of the richest people in the world today live in this area; they have significantly contributed to the economic development of their own countries.
A small number of Asian billionaires have become among the most powerful and influential people in the world as Asia keeps expanding and controlling the global economy. Along with great riches, they have major economic interests and charitable endeavours that have had a big influence on the area and beyond.
The list of billionaires released by Forbes annually includes many Asian individuals who have become rather prominent. Most billionaires are from China; followed by India and Hong Kong with representatives from other countries as well.
List Of Top 10 Richest People In Asia 2024
1. Mukesh Ambani -$116.3 Billion
The richest man in Asia is Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries. In 2008, he entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) owning Mumbai Indians. Although Jio, Reliance’s telecom and broadband offering, already has close to 476 million users, the company’s growing horizons are shown in the recent August launch of Jio Financial Services. BlackRock and Jio Financial Services also revealed a deal to create Jio BlackRock in July 2023, a joint venture meant to provide investors in India with cutting-edge and advanced investing options.
2. Gautam Adani -$83.6 Billion
Leading the Adani Group, a Rs16.22 lakh cr company covering ports, airports, energy, and environmental projects is Gautam Adani. Originally founded as a trading company in 1988, he is among Asian richest individuals today. He proved his skills as Gujarat’s main airport operator and controller of Mundra Port, India. Furthermore, his calculated acquisition of Holcim’s Indian assets in 2022 helped him to rank second among all cement manufacturers in India.
3. Prajogo Pangestu -$62.6 Billion
The richest individual in Indonesia is Prajogo Pangestu, the petrochemical and energy magnificentaire. Though he first focused on the forest industry, PT Barito Pacific is among the leaders in petrochemical, plastic manufacturing, mining, and thermal energy in Indonesia. As Petrindo Jaya Kreasi and Barito Renewables Energy went public, his wealth grew dramatically in 2023.
4. Tadashi Yanai & family -$47.1 Billion
Fast Retailing, a well-known clothes empire registered in Tokyo under control by Tadashi Yanai, is the creation of a genius. Among the brands Fast Retailing carries are Theory, Helmut Lang, J Brand, and GU. Especially, Uniqlo, the flagship brand, is rather well-known with more than 2,400 outlets spread across 25 countries, which ranks Tadashi among the top 10 richest persons in Asia. Following October 2023 opening of its first store in Mumbai, India. Knowing the main rivals from both domestic and foreign companies, Uniqlo now wants to expand and take front stage as the top brand in India.
5. Zhang Yiming -$45.6 Billion
The Chinese internet behemoth ByteDance’s main driver, Zhang Yiming, is most known for creating the immensely popular app TikHub. It claims an astonishing global user count of about a billion. His 21 percent share in ByteDance as of May 2024 is still maintained Its value is, however, in doubt given a possible US ban on TikHub. A new law passed by the US Congress lately gives the US government power to try to forbid TikHub. Beyond the popularity of TikHub, ByteDance covers news, education, and gaming among other industries.
6. Zhong Shanshan -$44.9 Billion
The entrepreneur behind the bottled water company Nongfu Spring, Zhong Shanshan, is third richest man in Asia and most wealthy Chinese. From building to journalism and drink sales, his path brought him into entrepreneurship. He also controls Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy, a developer of quick Covid-19 diagnostic tests.
7. Savitri Jindal and Family -$43.8 Billion
Savitri Jindal, the widow of founder Om Prakash Jindal, now leads the Jindal Group, comprising infrastructure, cement, steel, and electricity. Following the demise of late OP Jindal, his sons split the group’s businesses. These run now on their own. Sajjan Jindal, her son located in Mumbai, supervises the group’s most important assets. She not only is the richest lady in India but also among the richest Asians. Savitri Jindal has carried on the legacy of her husband by supporting fields including education, healthcare, and more, so benefiting society and communities.
8. Ma Huateng -$42 Billion
Tencent Holdings, the Chinese online juggernaut, is managed by Ma Huateng, sometimes known as Pony Ma. Being one of the richest persons in Asia, he supervises WeChat, a messaging platform with 1.2 billion active users. Beyond that, Tencent is among the top video game publishers and has significant interests in worldwide gaming with a holding in EpicGames. Tencent’s investments help Ma to influence Tesla and Spotify. Especially, he has lately disclosed Tencent’s intentions to create new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for the general benefit of mankind.
9. Shiv Nadar -$39.7 Billion
Among India’s most well-known figures in IT and software is HCL Technologies’ founder, Shiv Nadar. Having resigned from the corporate chairman in 2020, he is now emeritus chairman of HCL Technologies. Apart from his economic sense and leadership qualities, Nadar is well-known for charity. He gave Rs2,042 crore in 2023, roughly Rs5.6 crore daily. Over $1 billion has been donated overall to his Shiv Nadar foundation. The Indian Government has bestowed upon him Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour available in India.
10. Li Ka-Shing -$36.5 Billion
One of Asia’s richest people, Li Ka-Shing started Cheung Kong Plastics, named for the Yangtze River, at 21 with $6,500 in savings and loans from relatives back in 1950. Having given more than $3.8 billion to different organisations, his Li Ka Shing Foundation is quite generous; the lion’s share goes towards Greater China. Especially, Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings and the Vodafone Group have lately decided to combine their separate British telecom companies to form the largest mobile operator in the nation.