Hong Kong remains one of Asia’s most important centers of wealth, finance, property and international business. The city is home to some of the region’s most influential entrepreneurs and business families, with fortunes built across real estate, infrastructure, retail, jewelry, technology, finance, shipping and hospitality.
According to Forbes’ 2026 Hong Kong’s 50 Richest ranking, the combined wealth of the city’s 50 richest people and families reached a record $366 billion, up 22% from $301 billion the previous year. The increase was supported by a strong stock-market rally, a recovering property sector and a wave of initial public offerings.
At the top of the ranking is veteran business magnate Li Ka-shing, who remains Hong Kong’s richest person with an estimated fortune of $45.1 billion in Forbes’ annual 2026 ranking.
Who Is the Richest Person in Hong Kong in 2026?
Li Ka-shing remains Hong Kong’s richest person in 2026.
Forbes estimated his fortune at $45.1 billion based on stock prices and exchange rates as of January 23, 2026. His wealth increased by approximately $7.8 billion during the period measured.
Li is the senior advisor of CK Hutchison Holdings and remains one of Asia’s most influential business figures. His business empire has interests in ports, retail, infrastructure, telecommunications, utilities and property across numerous countries.
Top 10 Richest People in Hong Kong in 2026
Based on Forbes’ 2026 Hong Kong’s 50 Richest ranking:
Rank | Billionaire / Family | Main Source of Wealth | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Li Ka-shing | Diversified / Infrastructure | $45.1B |
2 | Peter & Martin Lee & Family | Real Estate | $34.9B |
3 | Henry Cheng & Family | Property & Jewelry | $26.1B |
4 | Lee Siblings | Food & Investments | $17.6B |
5 | Kwong Siu-hing | Real Estate | $17.5B |
6 | Peter Woo | Real Estate & Investments | $14.9B |
7 | Joseph Lau | Real Estate & Investments | $14.3B |
8 | Joseph Tsai | Technology & Investments | $14.2B |
9 | Francis Lui & Family | Gaming & Property | $12.7B |
10 | Jean Salata | Private Equity | $9.5B |
Forbes calculated the 2026 annual fortunes using stock prices and exchange rates as of January 23, 2026. Real-time valuations can differ.
1. Li Ka-shing
Li Ka-shing leads Hong Kong’s billionaire rankings with $45.1 billion.
Known as one of Asia’s most influential entrepreneurs, Li built his fortune through a diversified business empire. He started his business career in plastics before expanding into property and eventually creating the global CK Group.
Today, his business interests include ports, infrastructure, retail, telecommunications and utilities.
Forbes reported that CK Hutchison shares rose more than 60% over the measured period, helping Li add approximately $7.8 billion to his fortune.
Li retired as chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Asset Holdings in 2018, with his son Victor Li taking a leading role in the conglomerate. Li remains a senior advisor.
2. Peter & Martin Lee & Family
Peter Lee and Martin Lee rank second with a combined family fortune of approximately $34.9 billion.
The brothers are co-chairmen of Henderson Land Development, one of Hong Kong’s major property companies.
Their fortune was inherited from their father, the late Lee Shau Kee, who founded Henderson Land and died in 2025 at the age of 97.
The family continues to invest heavily in Hong Kong property. Major developments include Central Yards and The Henderson, reflecting the family's continuing influence over Hong Kong's skyline.
3. Henry Cheng & Family
Henry Cheng ranks third with his family, with an estimated fortune of $26.1 billion.
The Cheng family's wealth is connected to property and jewelry, particularly Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group and New World Development.
Forbes reported that the family's fortune increased by approximately $6.6 billion during the period measured. A major factor was the strong performance of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group as gold prices surged.
The Cheng family remains one of Hong Kong's most prominent business dynasties.
4. Lee Siblings
The Lee siblings rank fourth with a combined fortune of approximately $17.6 billion.
The five siblings—Charlie, Sammy, Eddy, David and Elizabeth—are heirs to the Lee Kum Kee Group, the famous Hong Kong food company best known for its sauces.
Lee Kum Kee was founded in 1888 and has grown into a global food business. Its oyster sauce is sold in more than 100 countries, according to Forbes.
The family has also diversified into healthcare, property and venture capital.
Their success demonstrates how a traditional food brand can evolve into a major multigenerational international business.
5. Kwong Siu-hing
Kwong Siu-hing ranks fifth with an estimated fortune of $17.5 billion.
Her wealth is closely associated with the property empire built by her late husband, Sun Hung Kai Properties cofounder Kwok Tak-seng.
The family has remained one of Hong Kong's most powerful property dynasties, with extensive interests in residential and commercial real estate.
Property remains one of the most important sources of billionaire wealth in Hong Kong, despite periodic downturns in the city's real estate market.
6. Peter Woo
Peter Woo ranks sixth with approximately $14.9 billion.
Woo built his fortune through property, investment and other diversified business interests.
He has long been associated with Hong Kong's commercial and property sectors and has played an important role in the city's business community.
His position among Hong Kong's richest people demonstrates the long-term wealth-generating power of property development and investment.
7. Joseph Lau
Joseph Lau ranks seventh with approximately $14.3 billion.
Lau built much of his fortune through Hong Kong real estate and investments.
His wealth has remained substantial despite fluctuations in Hong Kong's property market. Like many of the city's richest people, his business interests have benefited from decades of development in one of Asia's most valuable urban property markets.
8. Joseph Tsai
Joseph Tsai ranks eighth with an estimated fortune of $14.2 billion.
Tsai represents a different generation of Hong Kong wealth, with his fortune closely connected to technology and global investments.
He is best known as a cofounder of Alibaba Group and has built a broad investment portfolio beyond the technology company.
His inclusion in the top 10 highlights the growing importance of technology and digital businesses alongside Hong Kong's traditional property fortunes.
9. Francis Lui & Family
Francis Lui and his family rank ninth with an estimated fortune of $12.7 billion.
Francis Lui is chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, one of the major gaming and hospitality companies in Macau. He also serves as an executive director of K. Wah International, a property developer with operations in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Lui became chairman of Galaxy Entertainment in 2024 following the death of his father, casino magnate Lui Che Woo.
The family business therefore combines two major sources of wealth in the region: gaming and real estate.
10. Jean Salata
Jean Salata rounds out the top 10 with an estimated fortune of $9.5 billion.
Salata represents Hong Kong's powerful private-equity and investment sector.
His position is particularly notable because his wealth comes from financial investments rather than the property and traditional family businesses that dominate much of Hong Kong's billionaire ranking.
Why Is Hong Kong Home to So Many Billionaires?
Hong Kong has several characteristics that have helped create enormous private fortunes.
Real Estate
Property is one of the most important sources of billionaire wealth in Hong Kong. Limited land availability, high property values and decades of urban development have created enormous opportunities for major developers.
Finance
Hong Kong is a major international financial center, supporting investment companies, private equity firms, banks and wealth-management businesses.
Global Trade
Hong Kong's location and infrastructure have historically made it an important gateway for international trade and investment.
Retail and Consumer Brands
Businesses such as Chow Tai Fook and Lee Kum Kee demonstrate the strength of Hong Kong's consumer and retail sectors.
Technology
Joseph Tsai's rise highlights the increasing role of technology and digital businesses in Hong Kong's wealth ecosystem.
Hospitality and Gaming
Francis Lui's fortune demonstrates the importance of Macau's gaming and tourism industries to Hong Kong-linked business families.
Hong Kong's Billionaire Wealth Hits a Record
One of the biggest stories in the 2026 ranking is the record combined wealth of Hong Kong's richest people.
Forbes reported that the combined fortune of the city's 50 richest people and families reached $366 billion, up from $301 billion in 2025.
The increase was supported by a nearly 30% rise in the Hang Seng Index between the previous measurement period and January 23, 2026.
A stronger stock market increased the value of many billionaire-owned companies, while recovering property conditions and new IPOs also contributed to the rise.
Family Businesses Continue to Dominate
Hong Kong's billionaire rankings demonstrate the continuing importance of family-controlled businesses.
The Lee families, Cheng family and Kwok-related property interests are examples of fortunes that have passed from one generation to another.
At the same time, entrepreneurs such as Li Ka-shing and Joseph Tsai demonstrate that Hong Kong can also produce enormous self-made fortunes.
The combination of inherited family wealth and entrepreneurial success makes Hong Kong one of Asia's most important wealth centers.
The Future of Hong Kong's Richest People
Hong Kong's billionaire economy is likely to remain closely connected to property, finance and international business.
However, technology, private equity, healthcare, consumer brands and global investments could become increasingly important.
The city is also closely connected to mainland China's economy, meaning developments in Chinese markets can have a major effect on Hong Kong-based businesses and billionaire fortunes.
As markets recover and new companies enter Hong Kong's financial system, the city's billionaire rankings could continue to change.
Final Thoughts
Hong Kong's richest people in 2026 represent a mixture of legendary entrepreneurs, property dynasties, technology investors and multigenerational business families.
Li Ka-shing remains firmly at the top with $45.1 billion, while Peter and Martin Lee and their family rank second with $34.9 billion. Henry Cheng and his family occupy third place with $26.1 billion.
The city's 50 richest people and families collectively control approximately $366 billion, an all-time high according to Forbes.
While property continues to dominate Hong Kong's wealth landscape, technology, private equity, consumer brands and hospitality are becoming increasingly important.
The result is a diverse billionaire economy that reflects Hong Kong's continuing importance as a global financial and business center.
FAQs
Who is the richest person in Hong Kong in 2026?
Li Ka-shing is Hong Kong's richest person on Forbes' 2026 Hong Kong's 50 Richest list, with an estimated fortune of $45.1 billion.
What is Li Ka-shing's main source of wealth?
Li Ka-shing's fortune comes from diversified investments, including infrastructure, ports, property, telecommunications, retail and utilities through his CK Group businesses.
Who is the second-richest person in Hong Kong?
Peter and Martin Lee and their family rank second with a combined fortune of approximately $34.9 billion. Their wealth is primarily associated with Henderson Land Development and real estate.
How much are Hong Kong's 50 richest people worth?
Forbes estimates that Hong Kong's 50 richest people and families had combined wealth of approximately $366 billion in 2026.
Who are Hong Kong's richest property billionaires?
Several of Hong Kong's richest people built their fortunes through property, including the Lee, Cheng, Kwong, Woo and Lau families and individuals.
Is Joseph Tsai one of Hong Kong's richest people?
Yes. Joseph Tsai ranks eighth on Forbes' 2026 Hong Kong's 50 Richest list with an estimated fortune of $14.2 billion.
Who is Francis Lui?
Francis Lui is chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group and a major figure in Macau's gaming and hospitality industry. He and his family had an estimated fortune of $12.7 billion on Forbes' 2026 list.
Why did Hong Kong billionaire wealth increase in 2026?
A stronger stock market, a recovering property sector and new IPOs helped push the combined wealth of Hong Kong's 50 richest to a record $366 billion.
What is the minimum wealth required to enter Hong Kong's 50 Richest list?
The minimum fortune required to make Forbes' 2026 Hong Kong's 50 Richest list increased to approximately $1.6 billion, compared with $1.4 billion the previous year.
Can Hong Kong's richest-person ranking change?
Yes. Forbes' annual ranking uses wealth estimates at a specific date. Stock prices, exchange rates and private-company valuations can change billionaire fortunes significantly throughout the year.
