Self-made taipan and former senator Manuel Villar, emerged as the only Filipino to make it to Forbes World’s top 200 billionaires for 2024.
Forbes Magazine reported that Villar, a former Philippine senator and now full-time businessman managing his property and retail businesses, is the 190th richest man in the world.
He grew his fortune to $11 billion from $8.6 billion in 2023 as he chairs several listed firms including his biggest assets Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. and Golden MV Holdings, a developer of mass housing projects and memorial parks.
“Villar is diversifying his business with new investments in free-to-air TV and plans to build a casino and a theme park in southern Metro Manila,” the Forbes Magazine said.
Placing second to Forbes’ list was ports and gaming tycoon Enrique Razon, Jr., with his net worth rising to $10 billion from $7.3 billion in 2023 while San Miguel Corp. president and chief executive officer Ramon S. Ang came in third with net worth of $3.5 billion, up from $3.4 billion.
Rounding up the list are Sy-siblings Hans Sy ($2.6 billion), Henry Sy Jr. and Herbert Sy ($2.5 billion), tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan ($2.5 billion), Harley Sy ($2.4 billion), Teresita Sy-Coson ($2.3 billion), Elizabeth Sy ($2.1 billion), Megaworld Corp, chairman Andrew Tan ($2 billion), Jollibee Foods Corp. chairman Tony Tan Caktiong ($1.4 billion), and JG Summit Holdings corp. chairman Lance Gokongwei ($1.1 billion).