Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Entertainment

8 of the richest Chinese-Americans in 2025 – net worths, ranked: the founders of tech companies Yahoo, Nvidia, Zoom and Kingston top the list … but which billionaire’s wealth far outstrips the rest?

STORYLynn Farah
(From left) Billionaires Jensen Huang, Jerry Yang and Chen Tianqiao are among the world’s wealthiest Chinese-Americans. Photos: Reuters; EPA; Handout
(From left) Billionaires Jensen Huang, Jerry Yang and Chen Tianqiao are among the world’s wealthiest Chinese-Americans. Photos: Reuters; EPA; Handout
Millionaires and billionaires

From humble beginnings to emerging as industry leaders, these billionaires achieved the American dream after their early struggles – one even had his US visa application rejected eight times

Chinese-American billionaires represent a unique fusion of wealth and influence, linking the world’s two largest economies. Many have made their fortunes in technology, finance or real estate, often using their dual cultural understanding to grasp lucrative business opportunities in both markets.

Billion-dollar lifestyles aside, their philanthropic efforts also target issues in both hemispheres, addressing education, climate change and healthcare. This blend of wealth and power not only shapes businesses, but also has an impact on geopolitical dynamics.

Here’s how the net worths of the richest Chinese-American billionaires stack up, according to Forbes.

8. Chen Tianqiao, 51, founder of Shanda Group

Estimated net worth: US$1.1 billion

Chen Tianqiao made his pile in the online gaming and entertainment industry. Photo: Handout
Chen Tianqiao made his pile in the online gaming and entertainment industry. Photo: Handout
Advertisement

Best known for his success in the online gaming and entertainment industries, Tianqiao Chen is the founder and CEO of Shanda Group, which he formed in 1999 alongside his family, says Forbes. Under Chen’s leadership, Shanda became a major player in the Chinese online gaming market. Now based in California, Chen also owns 80,127 hectares (198,000 acres) of Oregon timberland, making him the 82nd biggest property owner in the United States, according to The Straits Times.

7 and 6. Ronnie Chan, 76, and Gerald Chan, 74, owners of Hang Lung Group

Estimated net worth: US$2 billion

Ronnie Chan’s Hang Lung Group is one of the biggest property developers in Hong Kong. Photo: Getty Images
Ronnie Chan’s Hang Lung Group is one of the biggest property developers in Hong Kong. Photo: Getty Images

Born in Hong Kong, brothers Ronnie and Gerald Chan studied in the US, where they founded private equity and venture capital vehicle Morningside Group in 1986, per the Financial Times. The Chan family now owns Hang Lung Group – founded by Chan Tseng-hsi in 1960 – one of the largest property developers in Hong Kong.

Ronnie Chan stepped down as Hang Lung Group chairman last year and was succeeded by son Adriel. Gerald is still a non-executive director of the company and is chairman and founding investor of Apellis Pharmaceuticals.

5. Jerry Yang, 56, co-founder of Yahoo

Estimated net worth: US$3 billion

Yahoo co-founders Jerry Yang (right) and David Filo the year before Yang’s departure in 2012. Photo: AP
Yahoo co-founders Jerry Yang (right) and David Filo the year before Yang’s departure in 2012. Photo: AP
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x