Author Topic: Samsung's Lee Family Tops FORBES' Inaugural List of Asia's Richest Families  (Read 656 times)

hubag bohol

  • AMBASSADOR
  • THE SOURCE
  • *****
  • Posts: 89964
  • "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool...
    • View Profile
OCT 7, 2015 @ 05:45 PM
Keren Blankfeld, FORBES STAFF
 
This story appears in the October 2015 issue of Forbes Asia.


Family is at the core of many of Asia’s biggest and most far-flung conglomerates and some of its best-known brands. Perhaps no clan better illustrates this than the Lees of Samsung Group, whose 2014 revenues were equivalent to 22% of South Korea’s GDP. While few dominate to such an extent, many business dynasties hold wide regional sway with their sprawling, cross-border empires.

To recognize this prominence, and also as a nod to the succession and operational challenges, FORBES has compiled its first list of the 50 Richest Families in Asia. To qualify, a family’s wealth and participation in building that fortune has to extend at least three generations. Thus some of the region’s biggest patriarchal positions, such as the one originated by Hong Kong’s Li Ka-shing, are absent in this inaugural ranking. Though Li’s sons are active in business, no grandchildren have yet taken serious roles.

While most on our list have kept their flock together over generations, the 50 also includes those who’ve gone separate ways in business or are entirely estranged. For example, India’s Ambani family combines the wealth of brothers Mukesh and Anil, who inherited most of their father’s fortune on his death in 2002 but opted to do business (and much else) separately. Indians hold 14 of the 50 spots, easily the most from any jurisdiction.

To compile the list we sifted through information on 500-plus families and valued dozens. In the end a $2.9 billion net worth was needed to qualify. The valuations are based on stock prices and exchange rates on Sept. 25. Many of the family businesses are publicly traded, and although the families may retain control, they are still answerable to outside shareholders. Some, such as India’s Burmans, profiled in our latest issue, have brought in professional managers, but generational handoffs can sometimes still be an issue.

Nearly half of the richest families in Asia are of Chinese descent, yet none of the inaugural 50 is based in the mainland, where conglomerates are young, run by the first generation able to muster billions of dollars in wealth in an open economy. There and elsewhere the challenge will be to keep wealth in the family while also keeping it growing.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=81131.0
...than to speak out and remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln

Book your travel tickets anywhere in the world, go to www.12go.co

unionbank online loan application low interest, credit card, easy and fast approval

Tags: