Asia is home to some of the world’s wealthiest women, with fortunes built or inherited through industries including steel, aluminium, pharmaceuticals, technology, electronics manufacturing, real estate, Samsung, and stock-market investments.
According to Forbes, 481 women appeared on its 2026 World’s Billionaires list, representing about 14% of the world’s 3,428 billionaires. Two Asian women, India’s Savitri Jindal and China’s Zheng Shuliang, were among the world’s 10 wealthiest women when Forbes measured fortunes for its annual list in March 2026. (Forbes)
Because billionaire fortunes fluctuate with stock prices, currencies, asset sales and private-company valuations, this article uses Forbes Real-Time Billionaires estimates from late August 2026 wherever available. The valuation dates are therefore stated clearly rather than presenting the numbers as permanent figures.
Based on those late-August Forbes estimates, Savitri Jindal & family remain the richest woman/female-led fortune in Asia, followed by Zheng Shuliang & family.
1. Savitri Jindal & Family — Approximately $39.7 Billion
Country: India
Main source of wealth: Steel and diversified industry
Estimated net worth: $39.7 billion
Savitri Jindal is the richest woman in Asia according to Forbes’ late-August 2026 real-time billionaire estimates. Forbes valued her and her family at approximately $39.7 billion as of August 27, 2026. (Forbes)
Her fortune is associated with the O.P. Jindal Group, the industrial empire founded by her late husband, Om Prakash Jindal.
The group has interests in steel, power generation, cement and infrastructure. After O.P. Jindal died in a helicopter crash in 2005, the group’s businesses were divided among the couple’s four sons, who operate different parts of the family empire. (Forbes)
Forbes’ annual World’s Billionaires ranking valued Savitri Jindal & family at $39.1 billion in March 2026, making her the seventh-richest woman in the world at the time. (Forbes)
Her fortune had increased slightly to about $39.7 billion by late August.
2. Zheng Shuliang & Family — Approximately $25.9 Billion
Country: China
Main source of wealth: Aluminium
Estimated net worth: $25.9 billion
Chinese billionaire Zheng Shuliang ranked second among Asia’s richest women in late August 2026, with Forbes estimating her family fortune at approximately $25.9 billion as of August 27. (Forbes)
Her wealth comes primarily from China Hongqiao Group, one of China’s largest aluminium producers.
The business was founded by her late husband, Zhang Shiping, who died in 2019. Their son, Zhang Bo, serves as chairman and chief executive of China Hongqiao.
Forbes reported that Zheng resigned as vice chairman of the company in May 2026, citing her age. (Forbes)
Interestingly, her fortune was substantially higher when Forbes compiled its annual billionaires list. She was valued at $33.2 billion as of March 1, 2026, placing her among the 10 richest women in the world. (Forbes)
The decline demonstrates why billionaire wealth figures must always be accompanied by a valuation date.
3. Zhou Qunfei & Family — Approximately $19.5 Billion
Country/Territory: Hong Kong
Main source of wealth: Smartphone screens and technology manufacturing
Estimated net worth: $19.5 billion
Zhou Qunfei is one of Asia’s most successful self-made female entrepreneurs.
Forbes estimated her fortune at approximately $19.5 billion as of August 27, 2026. (Forbes)
Zhou is chairman and general manager of Lens Technology, a manufacturer of touch-screen glass and other components.
The company supplies major global technology companies, including Apple, Samsung and Huawei, and has also expanded its business with electric-vehicle manufacturers such as Tesla and BYD. (Forbes)
Her story differs from several inherited fortunes on this list.
According to Forbes, Zhou worked as a migrant factory worker when she was young before becoming an entrepreneur. She established the business that would eventually become Lens Technology in 1993.
Lens Technology listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2015 and completed a dual listing in Hong Kong in 2025. (Forbes)
Forbes valued her fortune at $17.1 billion for its annual 2026 billionaire ranking, meaning her estimated wealth had risen significantly by late August.
4. Zhong Huijuan — Approximately $19.4–$19.5 Billion
Country: China
Main source of wealth: Pharmaceuticals
Estimated net worth: approximately $19.4 billion
Chinese pharmaceutical entrepreneur Zhong Huijuan ranks alongside Zhou Qunfei among Asia’s wealthiest self-made women.
Forbes estimated Zhong’s fortune at approximately $19.4 billion on August 28, 2026, after placing it around $19.5 billion the previous day. (Forbes)
Zhong is chairman and chief executive of Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group.
The company produces medicines for conditions including cancer, diabetes and disorders affecting the central nervous system. Hansoh Pharmaceutical went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2019. (Forbes)
Her husband, Sun Piaoyang, is also a billionaire and leads Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals.
Zhong previously worked as a chemistry teacher before entering the pharmaceutical industry, making her one of Asia’s most prominent self-made female billionaires.
Forbes valued her at $18.7 billion for its annual 2026 billionaire list. (Forbes)
5. Kwong Siu-hing — Approximately $18.4 Billion
Country/Territory: Hong Kong
Main source of wealth: Real estate
Estimated net worth: $18.4 billion
Hong Kong billionaire Kwong Siu-hing had an estimated fortune of approximately $18.4 billion as of August 27, 2026, according to Forbes. (Forbes)
She is the widow of Kwok Tak-seng, one of the founders of Sun Hung Kai Properties, one of Hong Kong’s largest property-development companies.
Kwong remains the company’s largest shareholder.
She previously served as chairman of Sun Hung Kai Properties between 2008 and 2011 during a period of leadership changes within the family. (Forbes)
Forbes’ separate Hong Kong’s 50 Richest 2026 ranking estimated her fortune at $17.5 billion using market prices from January 23, 2026. (Forbes)
The increase to $18.4 billion later in the year reflects movements in the value of her investments.
6. Wang Laichun — Approximately $12.8 Billion
Country/Territory: Hong Kong/China
Main source of wealth: Electronics manufacturing
Estimated net worth: $12.8 billion
Wang Laichun, also known as Grace Wang, is one of Asia’s wealthiest technology manufacturing entrepreneurs.
Forbes estimated her real-time fortune at approximately $12.8 billion in late August 2026. (Forbes)
She is chairman and chief executive of Luxshare Precision Industry, an electronics manufacturer that has become an important supplier to major technology companies.
Apple is one of Luxshare’s most important customers.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Wang worked for Hon Hai Precision Industry, better known internationally as Foxconn, for about a decade. She later joined her brother Wang Laisheng in building the company that became Luxshare. (Forbes)
Forbes valued Wang at $11.3 billion for its 2026 annual billionaire ranking. (Forbes)
7. Lee Boo-jin — Approximately $12.2–$12.3 Billion
Country: South Korea
Main source of wealth: Samsung
Estimated net worth: approximately $12.3 billion
South Korean businesswoman Lee Boo-jin had an estimated fortune of about $12.2 billion to $12.3 billion in late August 2026. (Forbes)
She is the daughter of the late Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee and serves as president and chief executive of Hotel Shilla.
Hotel Shilla operates luxury hotels and is also an important duty-free retailer in South Korea.
Lee inherited significant Samsung-related holdings following her father’s death in 2020.
Her fortune has increased substantially during 2026.
Forbes valued her at $9.8 billion for its annual 2026 World’s Billionaires list. (Forbes)
By May, Forbes reported that rising Samsung Electronics shares had helped push Lee Boo-jin and other members of the Lee family considerably higher in South Korea’s wealth rankings. (Forbes)
8. Lee Seo-hyun — Approximately $11.6 Billion
Country: South Korea
Main source of wealth: Samsung
Estimated net worth: $11.6 billion
Lee Seo-hyun, the younger sister of Lee Boo-jin, also appears among Asia’s richest women.
Forbes estimated her fortune at approximately $11.6 billion as of August 27, 2026. (Forbes)
Lee Seo-hyun is involved with several organisations connected to the Samsung family.
She oversees the Samsung Welfare Foundation and heads the advisory board of the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art.
She also returned to Samsung C&T in 2024 as president of strategic planning after several years away from the company. (Forbes)
Forbes estimated her fortune at $9.5 billion for the annual 2026 billionaire ranking.
Like her sister, her estimated wealth subsequently increased as the value of Samsung-related holdings rose. (Forbes)
9. Hong Ra-hee — Approximately $11.5 Billion
Country: South Korea
Main source of wealth: Samsung
Estimated net worth: approximately $11.5 billion
Hong Ra-hee is the widow of the late Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee and the mother of Jay Y. Lee, Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun.
Forbes estimated her fortune at approximately $11.5 billion in August 2026. (Forbes)
Hong previously served as director of the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art and the Ho-Am Art Museum before resigning in 2017.
A significant portion of her fortune is linked to shares inherited following her husband’s death.
Forbes valued Hong at $8.8 billion for its annual 2026 billionaire ranking. (Forbes)
The dramatic increase later in the year was associated with a surge in Samsung Electronics shares.
In May 2026, Forbes reported that Hong and her three children had become South Korea’s four wealthiest individuals as Samsung’s market value climbed sharply. (Forbes)
10. Rekha Jhunjhunwala — Approximately $8.9 Billion
Country: India
Main source of wealth: Investments
Estimated net worth: $8.9 billion
Indian investor Rekha Jhunjhunwala completes this late-August ranking with an estimated fortune of approximately $8.9 billion as of August 29, 2026. (Forbes)
She inherited a substantial investment portfolio from her late husband, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, one of India’s most famous stock-market investors.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala was often referred to as India’s equivalent of Warren Buffett because of his long record of successful stock-market investments.
Among the portfolio’s most valuable publicly traded holdings are stakes in Titan Company and healthcare technology company Inventurus Knowledge Solutions. (Forbes)
The family’s private investment company, Rare Enterprises, derives its name from the first two letters of Rakesh and Rekha.
Because much of her fortune is linked to publicly traded investments, its estimated value can change considerably with stock-market movements.
Top 10 Richest Women in Asia at a Glance
| Rank | Name | Country/Territory | Main source of wealth | Late-August 2026 estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savitri Jindal & family | India | Steel | $39.7 billion |
| 2 | Zheng Shuliang & family | China | Aluminium | $25.9 billion |
| 3 | Zhou Qunfei & family | Hong Kong | Technology manufacturing | $19.5 billion |
| 4 | Zhong Huijuan | China | Pharmaceuticals | $19.4 billion |
| 5 | Kwong Siu-hing | Hong Kong | Real estate | $18.4 billion |
| 6 | Wang Laichun | Hong Kong/China | Electronics | $12.8 billion |
| 7 | Lee Boo-jin | South Korea | Samsung | $12.3 billion |
| 8 | Lee Seo-hyun | South Korea | Samsung | $11.6 billion |
| 9 | Hong Ra-hee | South Korea | Samsung | $11.5 billion |
| 10 | Rekha Jhunjhunwala | India | Investments | $8.9 billion |
Combined estimated wealth: approximately $180 billion.
The figures above are late-August 2026 Forbes estimates and can change daily.
Why Australia Is Not Included
Some online articles about the “richest women in Asia” include Australian mining billionaire Gina Rinehart.
This article does not.
Australia is geographically part of Oceania, rather than Asia. Forbes also identifies Rinehart as an Australian billionaire. She had a real-time estimated fortune of about $25.6 billion in late August 2026. (Forbes)
Including her in an Asian ranking while excluding other Oceanian billionaires would therefore create a geographical inconsistency.
This ranking focuses on women whose Forbes country or territory classification falls within Asia.
The Rise of South Korea’s Samsung Women
One of the most significant changes during 2026 has occurred in South Korea.
Three women from the family controlling Samsung now appear among Asia’s richest women: Lee Boo-jin, Lee Seo-hyun and their mother Hong Ra-hee.
Forbes reported in May 2026 that Samsung Electronics’ soaring share price had made members of the Lee family South Korea’s four richest people at that point, with Lee Boo-jin, Lee Seo-hyun and Hong Ra-hee ranking immediately behind their brother and son Jay Y. Lee. (Forbes)
The movement illustrates how quickly billionaire rankings can change when fortunes are concentrated in publicly traded shares.
Self-Made Wealth Versus Inherited Wealth
The ranking contains both inherited and self-made fortunes.
Zhou Qunfei built Lens Technology after starting her working life as a factory worker. Zhong Huijuan built her pharmaceutical fortune after working as a chemistry teacher. Wang Laichun worked at Foxconn before establishing the business that developed into Luxshare. (Forbes)
By contrast, several other women inherited substantial family holdings.
Savitri Jindal inherited her position in the Jindal industrial empire following her husband’s death. Kwong Siu-hing’s fortune is linked to Sun Hung Kai Properties, which was cofounded by her late husband. Members of the Samsung Lee family inherited major holdings following Lee Kun-hee’s death. (Forbes)
Neither route necessarily means that the fortune consists of cash. In most cases, net worth estimates are driven primarily by ownership of businesses and shares.
Why These Figures Keep Changing
Billionaire rankings are snapshots rather than permanent measurements.
Forbes’ official 2026 World’s Billionaires list used stock prices and exchange rates from March 1, 2026. Forbes reported that a record 3,428 billionaires appeared on the list, including 481 women. (Forbes)
But Forbes also operates a real-time wealth tracker.
That explains why Savitri Jindal was valued at $39.1 billion for the annual ranking but approximately $39.7 billion in late August. Zheng Shuliang moved in the opposite direction, falling from $33.2 billion on the annual list to approximately $25.9 billion by August 27. (Forbes)
Changes in share prices, currencies, business ownership and private-company valuations can alter these figures by billions of dollars.
Conclusion
Savitri Jindal remains Asia’s richest woman in 2026, with Forbes estimating her family fortune at approximately $39.7 billion in late August.
China’s Zheng Shuliang follows with approximately $25.9 billion, while technology entrepreneur Zhou Qunfei and pharmaceutical billionaire Zhong Huijuan each have fortunes approaching $20 billion.
The ranking also demonstrates the diversity of female wealth across Asia.
Steel and aluminium dominate the two largest fortunes, but pharmaceuticals, electronics, smartphone manufacturing, property, Samsung shares and financial investments are also major sources of wealth.
Perhaps most importantly, the ranking illustrates why billionaire lists need dates attached to them. A net-worth figure that was correct in March may no longer be accurate by August.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only.
Net worth figures are estimates based primarily on Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires data available in late August 2026. They should not be interpreted as exact amounts of cash personally held by the individuals named. Billionaire wealth typically consists largely of shares in public companies, private businesses, property and other investments.
Real-time figures can change daily because of movements in share prices, currency exchange rates, corporate transactions, asset valuations and other financial developments. Consequently, the ranking and figures may change after publication.
The article defines Asia geographically and generally follows Forbes’ citizenship/country or territory classifications. Australia is therefore excluded because it is geographically part of Oceania.
Information has been checked against credible publicly available sources at the time of writing. Readers are encouraged to independently fact-check the figures and consult the latest Forbes billionaire profiles, company filings, stock-exchange disclosures and other authoritative sources for updates.
This article does not constitute investment, financial, legal or tax advice.
For corrections, updates or modifications, please contact us.
References
Chung, G. (2026, March 10). The richest women in the world 2026. Forbes. (Forbes)
Forbes. (2026a). Savitri Jindal & family. Forbes. (Forbes)
Forbes. (2026b). Zheng Shuliang & family. Forbes. (Forbes)
Forbes. (2026c). Zhou Qunfei & family. Forbes. (Forbes)
Forbes. (2026d). Zhong Huijuan. Forbes. (Forbes)
Forbes. (2026e). Kwong Siu-hing. Forbes. (Forbes)
Forbes. (2026f). Wang Laichun. Forbes. (Forbes)
Forbes. (2026g). Lee Boo-jin. Forbes. (Forbes)
Forbes. (2026h). Lee Seo-hyun. Forbes. (Forbes)
Forbes. (2026i). Hong Ra-hee. Forbes. (Forbes)
Forbes. (2026j). Rekha Jhunjhunwala. Forbes. (Forbes)
Ho, J., & Wang, Y. (2026, February 11). Hong Kong’s 50 richest 2026: Stock market rally lifts tycoons’ wealth to all-time high; Li Ka-shing remains the richest. Forbes. (Forbes)
Peterson-Withorn, C. (2026, March 10). Forbes World’s Billionaires list 2026: The top 200. Forbes. (Forbes)
Kang, J. (2026, May 11). Samsung billionaires are South Korea’s top four richest as the company’s market cap blows past $1 trillion. Forbes. (Forbes)
