Wang Yung-ching

Wang Yung-ching
Died 15 October 2008
Nationality Taiwanese
Ethnicity Han
Citizenship Republic of China(Taiwan)
Occupation businessman
Home town Republic of China(Taiwan)
Awards Forbes 178th richest person (2008)
This is a Chinese name; the family name is 王 (Wang).

Wang Yung-ching (also known as YC Wang) (traditional Chinese: 王永慶; simplified Chinese: 王永庆; pinyin: Wáng Yǒngqìng) (18 January 1917 – 15 October 2008) was an influential entrepreneur who founded a large business empire in Taiwan. According to the 2008 Forbes survey, he was the 178th richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of US$5.5 billion.[1] He was born in Xindian Township in Taihoku Prefecture (now New Taipei City) in then-Japan-ruled-Taiwan. Despite lacking any formal schooling beyond elementary school, he was ranked 2nd in the Forbes list of Taiwan's Richest.[2]

Wang served as the chairman of the board of Formosa Plastics Corporation, one of the largest plastic manufacturers in the world, until June 2006, when he stepped down at the age of 89.[3] He remained chairman of the boards of Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, Formosa Chemistry & Fibre Corporation, and Cyma Plywood & Lumber Co. Ltd, but indicated his intention to gradually resign from these positions to retire. He was chairman of Ming-chi Institute of Technology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University. He had been a vocal supporter of the Three Links between Taiwan and Mainland China.

He was married to Guo Yueh-lan and had 2 sons and 8 daughters. His eldest son from his second marriage with Liao Chiao, Winston Wang, founded Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing with Jiang Mianheng, the son of former People's Republic of China president Jiang Zemin in 2000. A daughter from his second marriage, Charlene Wang founded Taiwan-based First International Computer, Inc. Another daughter, Cher Wang, founded High Tech Computer (HTC) and VIA Technologies. Among the Wang siblings, Cher has come closest to rivaling her father's wealth.[4]. In 2011, Forbes estimated Cher Wang's personal fortune at $8.8 billion, making her the wealthiest individual in Taiwan[5].

YC Wang died in his sleep on October 15, 2008, at his home in Short Hills, New Jersey.[6] He was 91 years old.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Luisa, Kroll; Fass, Allison (2008-05-08). "The World's Billionaires". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/10/billionaires08_YC-Wang-family_0MRL.html. Retrieved 2008-06-08. 
  2. ^ Flannery, Russell (2008-06-04). "Taiwan's Richest". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/87/biz_taiwanrichest08_YC-Wang_0MRL.html. Retrieved 2008-06-08. 
  3. ^ Sun, Yu-huay (2006-06-06). "Formosa Plastics Corp. chairman Wang steps down from company". China Post. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/detail.asp?ID=83584&GRP=E. Retrieved 2006-10-11. 
  4. ^ Flannery, Russell (2006-1-9), "Cher Dividend", Forbes, http://members.forbes.com/global/2006/0109/045A.html .
  5. ^ Flannery, Russell (2011-5-25). "Taiwan’s 40 richest". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/sites/russellflannery/2011/05/25/taiwans-40-richest/. 
  6. ^ "US judge retains tycoon’s case", Taipei Times, August 15, 2009. Accessed March 15, 2011. "Wang Yung-ching died of cardiopulmonary arrest on Oct. 15 at his house in Short Hills, New Jersey, two days after arriving from Taiwan. He traveled to Short Hills 'numerous times on a regular basis every year of the last 20-plus years of his life,' and lived there in the 1980s, the complaint said."
  7. ^ Young, Doug (2008-10-16). "Taiwan's 3rd richest man, petrochem giant, dies". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssEnergyNews/idUSTP27650920081016. Retrieved 2008-10-16. 

Further reading