10 Richest Real Estate Developers in the World
A recent report says there are 275 real estate billionaires, and the number is increasing rapidly. In recent times, the net worth of those billionaires skyrocketed because of the pandemic.
This report is official from Hurun, a leader in the research industry. Their head office is in Shangai and Mumbai. Their data says China has the maximum no of real estate billionaires. You can see the list below:
China — 52
USA — 17
UK — 8
India — 6
Sweden — 3
Singapore — 3
Australia — 2
Austria — 1
France — 1
Philippians — 1
Real estate is always a source of wealth-building platform, and it will be the same till the end of days. So let’s find out who is the richest and how he made it there from scratch. Here are the global real estate rich lists.
10. Li Hua
He is the 10th Richest tycoon in the real estate industry with his company ‘Excellence Real Estate Group’ based in China.
In 1996 Li Hua founded the company Excellence Real Estate with his brother Li Xiaoping in Guangdong province.
Net worth: $12 Billion
Its Biggest achievement came in 2018 when the company crossed the mark of RMB 100 Billion in sales in just three years, RMB 32.5 billion, and RMB 45.6 billion in 2016 and 2017, respectively (RMB is the Chinese currency).
Data says Li Hua is the biggest landlord in Shenzhen, with a net worth of $12 Billion.
9. Joseph Lau Luen Hung
He is the chairman of the company Chinese Estate Holdings and the biggest shareholder, about 61% in total.
In 1974 after graduation, he joined his family business, a small Ceiling fan manufacturing company. But that was not good for his vision. He wants to do something different.
Net worth: $15 Billion
In 1978 he renamed the company Evergo Industrial Enterprise. But till then, he has no interest in the real estate industry.
After some years, probably in 1985, his company started to focus on property management and stock investment business.
They bought a 43% stake in the Chinese Estates Company, a hotel development company.
This gave Mr. Hung total control over the company, and with that, he started building properties.
In 2006, he officially became a billionaire in the real estate industry.
His journey is simple for an average man like you and me. But today his net worth is estimated at around $15 Billion.
8. Doland Bren
In 1958 he started a developing company named Bren Company. It was a successful move. The company was performing well enough.
Net worth: $16 Billion
But in 1970, he sold that company to International Paper Co. for about $34 Million. After just two years, a recession hit California, and the company was for sale.
He bought back his company from International Paper Co. with just $22 Million. Wow, that was a master move.
In 1977 he renamed it ‘Irvine Company. After that, he never looked back. His wealth is continuously growing.
He is one of the richest people in the USA, with a net worth of $16 Billion.
7. Hugh Grosvenor
He is the youngest real estate billionaire in the world and the 7th duke of Westminster, England. A member of the royal family.
Net worth: $17 Billion
In 2016, after the death of his father ‘Gerald Grosvenor, he inherited the Grosvenor Group, a company that started in 1677.
Yes, he is not self-made, but he is the 7th Richest real estate developer in the world, with a net worth of $17 Billion.
6. Wu Yajun
She is the co-founder and the chairperson of a Hong Kong-based real estate company Longfor Properties. She and her ex-husband Cai Kui founded the company in 1993.
Wu has a degree in engineering and worked as a journalist before entering the real estate industry.
Net worth: $18 Billion
She is the 6th Richest real estate developer in the world, with a net worth of $18 Billion.
5. Wang Jianlin
In 2017 he was the Richest real estate developer in the world, but today someone else. You will know how they have started their journey.
Mr. Wang is the founder and director of the developing company Wanda Group, a politician, and a philanthropist.
He won a 15% stake in Atletico de Madrid, a famous football team in Spain.
Net worth: $18 Billion
I think this rich list does not matter for these people as they never focus on personal achievements.
Their main focus is on the growth of their company. They do not care where they are on the first list or the last on the list.
Today Mr. Wang is the 5th Richest real estate tycoon with a net worth of $18 Billion.
4. Peter Woo Kwong
He was the chairman of property developer Wheelock & Co. till 2015. He stepped down, and his son Douglas took the company public in 2020.
Net worth: $19 Billion
In 1972 he started his career with Chase Manhattan Bank in New York. In 1975 he returned home and joined his family business, a real estate development company.
He is the 4th Richesr developer with a net worth of $19 Billion.
3. Yang Huiyan
Yang Guoqiang (her father) founded the company Country Garden Holdings in 1997.
Net worth: $27 Billion
In 2007, Her father gave her a big portion of the company Country Garden Holdings, about 70% stake before the IPO.
Since that time, she is 3rd Richest real estate developer in the world.
She is the richest woman in China, with a net worth of $27 Billion.
2. Lee Shau Kee
This guy is a self-made billionaire. He is the funder of a land development company Henderson. They call him the Buffet of Hong Kong’.
Net worth: $28 Billion
Born in a small merchant family in Guandong Province, China. He came to Hong Kong with just $1000 in his pocket At the age of 20.
After a lot of struggle, he finally founded Henderson Land Development Company in 1976.
He is a true inspiration, a real self-made man. His net worth is around $28 Billion.
1. Li Ka-Shing
Born in 1928 in South China, moved to Hong Kong with his family in 1946 because of the Sino-Japanese war.
At the age of 20, he becomes a manager in a small company. By saving money and investing it in real estate, he becomes the Riches real estate tycoon in the world.
Net worth: $35 Billion
I have watched his interview about how he made it to the top, available on YouTube. His famous quote says:
Save your first bucket of Gold, then use it for investments.
He says, whenever I get the opportunity, I try to enter a new industry, which is the main formula of my success. I was able to manage the cash flow well. Cash flow is the king, he says.
Last words
The real estate industry is simple, develop buildings and become a billionaire. Anyone can do it, but not everyone will.
I hope this article gave you the answer you are looking for who is the Richest real estate developer in the world. Thank you, see you soon.
NB: These data may change over time and all the Info I have gathered from various internet source like Wikipedia and others. So do your own research.
