Vietnam’s Pham Thu Huong Overtakes Oprah, Taylor Swift in Billionaire Wealth
Vietnamese billionaire Pham Thu Huong has climbed to become Southeast Asia’s second-richest woman, overtaking global entertainment icons including Oprah Winfrey and Taylor Swift in personal wealth.
A quiet rise in Vietnam’s corporate world has produced one of Asia’s biggest wealth stories. Pham Thu Huong, vice chairwoman and co-founder of Vingroup, has become the second-richest woman in Southeast Asia, with an estimated fortune of US$4.4 billion—placing her ahead of media mogul Oprah Winfrey, pop superstar Taylor Swift and singer Beyoncé on Forbes’ real-time billionaire rankings.
The 57-year-old businesswoman’s wealth has surged alongside the remarkable rally in Vingroup shares, making her one of the fastest-rising billionaires in the region. Forbes’ real-time estimates now place her among the world’s top 1,000 richest people, a milestone she achieved for the first time this month.
Huong’s rise is closely tied to Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest listed private conglomerate, whose businesses span real estate, electric vehicles, hospitality, healthcare and retail. She helped establish the company alongside her husband, billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, who remains the richest person in Southeast Asia. Together, the couple has played a central role in transforming Vingroup into one of Vietnam’s most influential corporate groups.
Her growing fortune now exceeds that of several internationally recognized celebrities. Forbes estimates Oprah Winfrey’s wealth at about US$3.4 billion, while Taylor Swift’s fortune stands near US$2 billion, largely driven by her record-breaking Eras Tour and music catalogue. Huong’s estimated net worth also places her above Beyoncé, whose wealth is valued at roughly US$1 billion.
In Southeast Asia, only Indonesian technology billionaire Marina Budiman, co-founder of data centre operator DCI Indonesia, ranks ahead of Huong among women, with an estimated fortune of around US$6 billion. Huong’s ascent reflects the increasing prominence of Southeast Asian women in industries ranging from infrastructure and technology to aviation and finance.
Before Huong’s breakthrough, Vietnam’s best-known female billionaire was Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, the founder of low-cost airline Vietjet Air and the country’s first self-made woman billionaire. The two have alternated positions in Vietnam’s wealth rankings as market valuations fluctuate, highlighting how closely billionaire fortunes remain linked to stock market performance.
Unlike entertainers whose fortunes were built through media, music and live performances, Huong’s wealth stems primarily from long-term equity ownership in one of Asia’s fastest-growing conglomerates. Her financial rise illustrates the expanding influence of Vietnam’s private sector as the country continues to attract global investment and strengthen its position as one of the region’s most dynamic economies.