10 People You Should Know in China

Wu Yajun

Wu Yajun is China’s richest woman and considered the world’s wealthiest self-made woman with a personal fortune of $6 billion, according to the Hurun Report. She is also a member of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC).

Ranked as the 8th richest person in China, Wu has made Hurun’s rich list for more than a decade. Her wealth comes from Longfor Properties, a company the former journalist founded in 1995 with her husband. Wu, 48, is

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Wu Yajun

Wu Yajun is China’s richest woman and considered the world’s wealthiest self-made woman with a personal fortune of $6 billion, according to the Hurun Report. She is also a member of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC).

Ranked as the 8th richest person in China, Wu has made Hurun’s rich list for more than a decade. Her wealth comes from Longfor Properties, a company the former journalist founded in 1995 with her husband. Wu, 48, is chairwoman of the real estate development firm in which her family holds a 76 percent stake. Feeding China's property boom, the business magnate's wealth ballooned in 2009 to $4 billion when the company made its debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Her personal fortune rose to $6.64 in 2011, but has since shrunk nearly 10 percent, impacted by Beijing’s attempts to cool China’s property market.

While she is considered an influential member of the NPC, Wu maintains a low key approach, shunning the media for interviews.

Photo: Longfor Properties

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