Net Worth
$27B
Global Rank
#47
Source
CK Hutchison
Country
Hong Kong
$How Li Ka-shing Built Their Fortune
Li Ka-shing is the founder and former chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings, one of the largest conglomerates in the world, and one of the most influential business leaders in Asian history. Known as 'Superman' in Hong Kong for his extraordinary business acumen, Li built a vast empire spanning ports, telecommunications, retail, energy, infrastructure, and real estate across more than 50 countries. His journey from a refugee who fled mainland China as a child to becoming the richest person in Asia for decades is one of the most inspiring business stories ever told.
Li's genius lies in his ability to see opportunity where others see obstacles and to think decades ahead. He was among the first to invest heavily in Hong Kong real estate in the 1960s, recognizing the city's potential before most others. He later built Hutchison Whampoa into a global infrastructure and telecommunications company, with landmark investments including the development of Europe's 3G mobile networks and the world's largest private port operator. His investment timing — buying undervalued assets and selling at peak — has become legendary.
Even in retirement, Li Ka-shing remains deeply engaged through the Li Ka Shing Foundation, which he considers his 'third son.' The foundation has donated over $3 billion to education, healthcare, and community causes. His support for Shantou University and the Technion-Guangdong Institute of Technology has created world-class educational opportunities in his native Guangdong province. His story of perseverance, vision, and generosity continues to inspire entrepreneurs across Asia and around the world.
vs$27B in Perspective
To put Li Ka-shing's $27B fortune into context, here's what that wealth could buy:
Median U.S. household incomes
At $59,384/year
Median U.S. homes
At $420,000 each
Tesla Model 3s
At $38,990 each
Four-year college degrees
At $108,000 average
NFL franchises
At $4.7B average
Private islands
At $15,000,000 each
Key Wealth Milestones
1950
Founded Cheung Kong Industries, a plastics manufacturing company, at the age of 22, taking his first step toward building a global business empire from nothing.
1979
Acquired Hutchison Whampoa from HSBC, gaining control of a major British hong and beginning the transformation of a colonial trading house into a modern global conglomerate.
2000
Invested aggressively in European 3G mobile telecommunications, spending over $30 billion on spectrum licenses and network buildout in a bold bet on the future of mobile communication.
2013
Began restructuring his business empire, merging Cheung Kong and Hutchison Whampoa into CK Hutchison to create a more streamlined and globally competitive organization.
2018
Officially retired from active business at age 89 and dedicated himself fully to the Li Ka Shing Foundation, expanding its mission in education and healthcare across Asia.
Where Li Ka-shing Ranks
Top 72% of the world's wealthiest · 167 tracked
Nearest by Rank
Richest People in Hong Kong
Li Ka-shing on Wealth & Success
“In times of prosperity, be prudent. In adversity, be bold.”
“Knowledge changes fate. I missed out on formal education, so I value it above everything else.”
“A business must create value for society, or it has no right to exist.”
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AI-Generated Content — This profile was created using AI and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, details may contain errors or be outdated. Quotes may be paraphrased or taken out of context. Achievements and figures are based on public reporting and may not be precise. This profile does not imply endorsement by the individual featured. Not financial advice.