Villar still wealthiest Filipino in Forbes list

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tycoon Manuel Villar Jr. is still the country’s richest man, according to this year’s roster of billionaires around the world.

The world’s richest people just keep getting richer despite the COVID-19 pandemic ripping across the globe, Forbes’ 35th World’s Billionaires List showed.

The list saw 660 more billionaires compared to a year ago and with 86 percent richer today than last year, despite the COVID-19 global health crisis.

The 2021 Rich List, Forbes’ 35th, counted a record-breaking 2,755 billionaires, including 493 newcomers – “unprecedented by any measure, especially in a year in which large economies around the world were hampered by the coronavirus pandemic.”

Forbes, which lists billionaires with a net worth of at least $1 billion, said this year’s richest people have a combined worth of $13.1 trillion, up from $8 trillion on the 2020 list.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos retains the top spot in this year’s ranking for the fourth consecutive year with a net worth of $177 billion, while Elon Musk rocketed to number two with a net worth of $151 billion, up from No. 31 in last year’s ranking. Bernard Arnault of LVMH remains at No. 3 with a net worth of $150 billion, followed by Bill Gates with a net worth of $124 billion. Rounding out the top five is Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg who is worth $97 billion, according to Forbes.

Three Asian billionaires are in the Top 20: Mukesh Ambani (No. 10, $84.5 billion), Zhong Shanshan (No. 13, $68.9 billion) and Ma Huateng (No. 15, $65.8 billion).

Asia-Pacific boasts the most billionaires with 1,149, followed by the United States with 724 and Europe with 628.

In the Philippines, Villar, who tops the list for the third consecutive year, leads 17 Filipino tycoons in this year’s roster.

The real estate tycoon is in 352nd spot, with a net worth of $7.2 billion.

Enrique Razon Jr., the ports and casino tycoon, is in 561st spot, with a net worth of $5 billion.

Lucio Tan, who has a diversified empire, is in 925th spot, with a net worth of $3.3 billion.

Brothers Hans and Herbert Sy, sons of the late retail magnate Henry Sy Sr., are in 1008th, each with a net worth of $3 billion.

Andrew Tan, who is into property, shares the 1008th spot with a net worth of $3 billion.

Harley Sy, another son of Sy, is in 1174th, with a net worth of $3 billion; Henry Sy Jr., Sy’s eldest son is also in 1174th spot with a net worth of $2.7 billion, same as Teresita Sy-Coson, the eldest daughter of Sy, with a net worth of $2.7 billion.

Elizabeth Sy, also Sy’s daughter, is in 1299th spot with a net worth of $2.4 billion.

Tony Tan Caktiong & family, founder of Jollibee, are in the 1,299th spot as well, with a net worth of $2.4 billion.

Ramon Ang, who is at the helm of San Miguel Corp., is 1444th, with a net worth of $2.2 billion.

Iñigo Zobel of the prominent Zobel clan is in 2141st spot, with a net worth of $1.4 billion.

Lance Gokongwei, the only son of the late John Gokongwei Jr., is 2,378th, with a net worth of $1.2 billion.

Roberto Ongpin, the upscale property developer, is also in the 2,378th spot, with a net worth of $1.2 billion.

Ricardo Po Sr. & family occupy the 2524th spot, with a net worth of $1.1 billion, along with Edgar Sia II, chairman of DoubleDragon, with the same net worth.

This year’s global rich list saw more self-made billionaires, 1,975 individuals, and more women, 328 female billionaires, up from 241 in 2020.

“This was a record-breaking year in multiple ways, with more newcomers than ever before and more billionaires globally,” said Kerry Dolan, Forbes assistant managing editor for Wealth. “It was also the first time that the combined net worth of the world’s billions crossed into double-digit trillions. The pace at which huge fortunes have been created is astonishing.”