According to Forbes data as of November 8, 2025, the wealthiest individual in Southeast Asia is Indonesian billionaire Prajogo Pangestu, with a net worth of $44.1 billion. This marks a significant increase of $24.1 billion since Forbes’ 2025 World Billionaires List. Pangestu’s wealth primarily stems from his ventures in petrochemicals and energy through companies like Barito Pacific and Barito Renewables Energy. He first appeared on Forbes’ billionaire list in 2017, with an estimated net worth of $1.8 billion at the time.
Indonesia dominates the top 10 richest individuals in Southeast Asia, boasting five billionaires: Prajogo Pangestu, Low Tuck Kwong, R. Budi Hartono, Michael Hartono, and Tahir and family. Notably, the four wealthiest individuals in the region are all Indonesian.
Low Tuck Kwong, known as Indonesia’s “Coal King,” ranks second with a net worth of $25.1 billion. Beyond his ownership of Bayan Resources, a leading coal mining company in Indonesia, Kwong is involved in Metis Energy, a Singapore-based renewable energy firm, and holds stakes in The Farrer Park Company and Samindo Resources.
Brothers R. Budi Hartono and Michael Hartono both secure spots in the top five. R. Budi Hartono ranks third with $22 billion, while Michael Hartono follows closely with $21.2 billion. Their wealth largely derives from acquiring shares in Bank Central Asia during the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis. Initially, the Hartono family built their fortune in the tobacco industry and remains one of Indonesia’s largest tobacco producers.
Vietnam’s sole representative on the list, Pham Nhat Vuong (Chairman of Vingroup), ranks fifth with an estimated net worth of $18.7 billion. Vuong first appeared on Forbes’ billionaire list in 2016, with a net worth of approximately $1.8 billion. His wealth has surged significantly, driven by a nearly fivefold increase in Vingroup’s stock price (VIC) since the beginning of the year.
Thailand’s sole representative, Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group (C.P. Group), ranks sixth with a net worth of $17.6 billion. C.P. Group is one of the world’s largest producers of animal feed.
Malaysia’s wealthiest individual, Robert Kuok, holds the eighth position with an estimated net worth of $13.3 billion. Kuok Group operates primarily in hospitality, real estate, and commodities (raw materials/basic goods).
Enrique Razon Jr., the Philippines’ sole representative, ranks ninth with a net worth of $18.8 billion. As Chairman of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), he oversees the largest port operator in the Philippines by revenue. ICTSI has extensive operations across the Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Another Indonesian on the list, Tahir and family, ranks ninth with a net worth of $12.5 billion. Tahir founded Mayapada Group, a conglomerate active in banking, healthcare, media, and real estate. The family also holds stakes in Mayapada Bank and Maha Properti Indonesia, an Indonesian real estate developer.
Rounding out the top 10 is Singapore’s Li Xiting, with an estimated net worth of $11.7 billion. Li is the co-founder and chairman of Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics, a leading provider of medical devices. He first joined Forbes’ billionaire list in 2018.
