Forbes unveiled its 38th edition of the world’s wealthiest individuals last week, with some notable presences from Macau.
Among the familiar names are Lui Che Woo, the founder and chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, Pansy Ho, serving as chairperson of MGM China, and Angela Leong, director at SJM, all maintaining their spots from the 2023 list.
However, Lawrence Ho and Hoi King Hong didn’t make the cut this year. Topping the global rankings remains the French magnate Bernard Arnault, while within the gaming sector, Miriam Adelson, the widow of Sheldon Adelson, stands out.
This renowned list of the world’s richest individuals continues to break records annually. In the realm of ten-digit fortunes, there are now 2,781 individuals holding billionaire status in 2024, surpassing the 2023 count and even outdoing the 2021 record of 2,755 billionaires.
The billionaire cohort is expanding, both in numbers and the size of their fortunes, as per Forbes. The collective wealth of those featured in this latest Forbes edition amounts to US$14.2 trillion, marking a 14 per cent increase, or US$2 trillion, compared to 2023.
A substantial portion of this wealth surge stems from the top 20 members, primarily dominated by individuals based in the United States, contributing US$700 billion to the total.
The U.S. maintains its lead in the density of billionaires per square kilometer, with a record-breaking 813 individuals belonging to the 1 per cent, up from 735 in 2023.
While China, including Macau and Hong Kong, retains its second position among the world’s wealthiest regions, the number of billionaires has declined from 562 in 2023 to 473. India claims the third spot with 200 billionaires, marking another record for 2024.
According to Forbes, China’s wealthiest individual remains Zhong Shanshan, despite sliding 9 positions to 24th globally. Notably, Macau-linked entrepreneurs like Lui Che Woo and Pansy Ho hold prominent positions among China’s elite.
Lui Che Woo, chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group and K. Wah International Holdings, holds the 180th spot on Forbes’ list with a fortune of $11.2 billion, showcasing Macau’s influence in the global wealth landscape.
Pansy Ho, daughter of Stanley Ho, stands as CEO of MGM and chairs Shun Tak Holdings, securing the 835th position on the list with an estimated wealth of $3.8 billion.
Another notable Macau figure, Angela Leong, widow of casino mogul Stanley Ho and current director of SJM, has an estimated wealth of US$2.4 billion, ranking 1,380th globally.
Miriam Adelson, widow of Las Vegas Sands founder Sheldon Adelson, continues to be a leading figure in the international gaming industry. The Adelson family’s significant role in Macau’s gaming sector has propelled them to 53rd place on the Forbes list, with an accumulated wealth of US$32 billion.
