Vingroup leader Pham Nhat Vuong becomes SEA’s richest billionaire
VOV.VN - Billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, founder and chairman of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate Vingroup, has become the richest person in Southeast Asia, with an estimated net worth of over US$24.5 billion, according to the latest update from Forbes.
The Vingroup chairman is now ranked 100th globally, marking a significant rise in wealth and positioning him ahead of other prominent billionaires in the region.
The shift in rankings comes as Indonesian tycoon Prajogo Pangestu, founder of Barito Pacific, saw his fortune decline sharply from over US$44 billion to approximately US$18.6 billion, largely due to a steep drop in his company’s share price since the beginning of the year.
Following Vuong in the regional rankings are several Indonesian billionaires, including Prajogo Pangestu, Budi Hartono, and Low Tuck Kwong. Filipino businessman Enrique Razon Jr. also remains among Southeast Asia’s wealthiest individuals, reflecting the region’s diverse economic landscape.
Despite Indonesia maintaining the largest number of billionaires in Southeast Asia, Vuong’s rise signals a notable shift in the region’s wealth dynamics, highlighting the growing prominence of Vietnamese enterprises.
Analysts note that fluctuations in billionaire wealth across the region are likely to continue, driven by developments in financial markets, energy prices, and key industrial sectors. In a context of ongoing global economic uncertainty, rankings may change rapidly.
Vuong’s ascent not only reflects his personal financial growth but also underscores the expanding role of Vietnamese corporations in the regional economy.
Currently, he directly holds nearly 390 million VIC shares, equivalent to about 10.05% ownership.
In addition to Vuong, two other members of his family have also joined Forbes’ global billionaire list. His wife, Pham Thu Huong, and his sister-in-law, Pham Thuy Hang, each have an estimated net worth of US$1.5 billion.
Pham Thu Huong serves as Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup and Chairwoman of GSM, the operator of the Xanh SM electric taxi and ride-hailing service. Meanwhile, Pham Thuy Hang also holds the position of Vice Chairwoman at Vingroup.
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