AI Boom Propels ASE's Chang Brothers to Top of Forbes Taiwan Rich List for First Time
Forbes has released its 2026 Taiwan Rich List, with ASE Technology Holding Chairman Jason Chang and Vice Chairman Richard Chang ranking first for the first time. Driven by the AI boom, the total wealth of the top 50 surged 56% year-on-year to a record $308 billion.
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- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 10:55
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(Central News Agency, New York, 10th – Combined Foreign News) Forbes has released its 2026 list of Taiwan's top 50 billionaires. Jason Chang, Chairman of ASE Technology Holding, and his brother Richard Chang, Vice Chairman, have topped the list for the first time. Driven by the AI boom, the total wealth of the top 50 surged 56% year-on-year to a record $308 billion (approximately NT$9.7 trillion).
According to Forbes magazine, driven by strong semiconductor exports, Taiwan's economy grew by 8.7% last year, its highest in 15 years. Fueled by a stock market rally driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, the Taiwan Weighted Index more than doubled year-on-year, reaching a total market capitalization of $4.4 trillion (approximately NT$139 trillion), placing it among the world's largest securities markets.
A total of 34 individuals on the list saw their wealth increase year-on-year. The Chang brothers' total assets surged by $14.5 billion (approximately NT$458.2 billion) to $22.4 billion (approximately NT$708.2 billion), propelling them up six spots to claim the top position for the first time.
Ranked second is Pierre Chen, founder and chairman of electronic components giant Yageo, whose total assets increased by $12.1 billion (approximately NT$382.4 billion) to $18.2 billion (approximately NT$575.3 billion).
Last year's top billionaires, brothers Daniel Tsai and Richard Tsai of Fubon Financial Holding, fell to third place despite a $2.8 billion (approximately NT$88.5 billion) increase in their total assets, which now stand at $16.7 billion (approximately NT$528.1 billion).
Hon Hai (Foxconn) founder Terry Gou ranks fourth this year. Hon Hai is the world's largest electronics manufacturer, holding over 40% global market share, and is a major manufacturer of AI server systems for cloud service providers. Benefiting from a 70% surge in Hon Hai's stock price year-on-year, Gou's wealth has also risen to $15.5 billion (approximately NT$489.8 billion).
In terms of asset growth rate, the biggest gainer was Bruce Cheng, founder of Delta Electronics. Delta provides power components and systems for AI GPUs and other products for tech giants like Nvidia and Google. Cheng jumped 16 places to seventh, with total assets of $14.5 billion (approximately NT$458.2 billion), an increase of nearly four times year-on-year.
Additionally, eight new billionaires entered the list this year, all from the semiconductor or AI-related industries. The highest-valued newcomer is Xie Minda, chairman of AI chip testing equipment giant Hongjing Precision. Benefiting from the company's stock price doubling since its IPO, he ranks 12th with total assets of $7.1 billion (approximately NT$224.4 billion).
Eleven billionaires from last year's list fell off this year, including former Ruentex Group President Samuel Yin, who passed away in May.
Notably, the minimum wealth threshold to enter this year's Taiwan top 50 billionaire list has significantly increased from $1.3 billion in 2025 to $2.2 billion, a new all-time high. (Editor: Zhang Mingxuan) 1150611
According to Forbes magazine, driven by strong semiconductor exports, Taiwan's economy grew by 8.7% last year, its highest in 15 years. Fueled by a stock market rally driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, the Taiwan Weighted Index more than doubled year-on-year, reaching a total market capitalization of $4.4 trillion (approximately NT$139 trillion), placing it among the world's largest securities markets.
A total of 34 individuals on the list saw their wealth increase year-on-year. The Chang brothers' total assets surged by $14.5 billion (approximately NT$458.2 billion) to $22.4 billion (approximately NT$708.2 billion), propelling them up six spots to claim the top position for the first time.
Ranked second is Pierre Chen, founder and chairman of electronic components giant Yageo, whose total assets increased by $12.1 billion (approximately NT$382.4 billion) to $18.2 billion (approximately NT$575.3 billion).
Last year's top billionaires, brothers Daniel Tsai and Richard Tsai of Fubon Financial Holding, fell to third place despite a $2.8 billion (approximately NT$88.5 billion) increase in their total assets, which now stand at $16.7 billion (approximately NT$528.1 billion).
Hon Hai (Foxconn) founder Terry Gou ranks fourth this year. Hon Hai is the world's largest electronics manufacturer, holding over 40% global market share, and is a major manufacturer of AI server systems for cloud service providers. Benefiting from a 70% surge in Hon Hai's stock price year-on-year, Gou's wealth has also risen to $15.5 billion (approximately NT$489.8 billion).
In terms of asset growth rate, the biggest gainer was Bruce Cheng, founder of Delta Electronics. Delta provides power components and systems for AI GPUs and other products for tech giants like Nvidia and Google. Cheng jumped 16 places to seventh, with total assets of $14.5 billion (approximately NT$458.2 billion), an increase of nearly four times year-on-year.
Additionally, eight new billionaires entered the list this year, all from the semiconductor or AI-related industries. The highest-valued newcomer is Xie Minda, chairman of AI chip testing equipment giant Hongjing Precision. Benefiting from the company's stock price doubling since its IPO, he ranks 12th with total assets of $7.1 billion (approximately NT$224.4 billion).
Eleven billionaires from last year's list fell off this year, including former Ruentex Group President Samuel Yin, who passed away in May.
Notably, the minimum wealth threshold to enter this year's Taiwan top 50 billionaire list has significantly increased from $1.3 billion in 2025 to $2.2 billion, a new all-time high. (Editor: Zhang Mingxuan) 1150611
FAQ
Who topped the 2026 Forbes Taiwan Rich List?
Jason Chang and Richard Chang, Chairman and Vice Chairman of ASE Technology Holding.
How much did the total wealth of the top 50 increase?
It surged 56% year-on-year to a record $308 billion.
What was the minimum wealth threshold for the 2026 list?
$2.2 billion, significantly up from $1.3 billion in 2025.