World’s 5 richest real estate women billionaires hold $39B fortune

Kwong Siu-hing

Kwong Siu-hing, 95, is a central figure in the Kwok family, which controls Sun Hung Kai Properties, one of Hong Kong’s "big four" property developers.

Born in Guangzhou in 1929, she moved to Hong Kong in 1947 and married the late billionaire Kwok Tak-seng, one of the firm’s co-founders, at the age of 20, according to Tatler Asia.

The couple had three children, Walter, Thomas and Raymond Kwok, all of whom have played a role in managing the business.

Following Tak-seng’s passing in 1990, Walter initially took the helm before Siu-hing stepped in as chairwoman in 2008 amid an intense dispute between the siblings for control of the family empire.

She resigned from the role in 2011 but still holds the largest stake in Sun Hung Kai.

As of March 7, she is one of Hong Kong’s richest individuals with a net worth of $12.6 billion.

Zhu Yan & family

The wealth of Zhu Yan, 54, stems from KE Holdings, a property brokerage giant that her late husband, Zuo Hui, founded in 2018 by consolidating several of his earlier ventures.

Listed in both New York and Hong Kong, the company is among the world’s largest real estate brokerages, according to Forbes, and reported net revenues of 93.5 billion yuan (US$12.8 billion) in 2024.

Hui died in 2021 at the age of 50, leaving the real estate empire to Zhu. At the time of his passing, he was China’s 15th richest man with a net worth estimated at $14.8 billion, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Zhu is a controlling shareholder of the firm. She and her family hold a combined net worth of $7.1 billion as of March 7.

Alexandra Schoerghuber & family

Alexandra Schoerghuber at the 2023 Annual General Meeting of FC Bayern Munich on Nov. 12, 2023. Photo by Imago via Reuters

Alexandra Schoerghuber, 66, oversees the family-run Schoerghuber Unternehmensgruppe as chair of its foundation board and a member of its executive board, according to its website.

The Germany-based private investment firm holds a wide-ranging portfolio spanning real estate, hospitality, beverages, and seafood.

With a background in hotel management, Alexandra gained international experience working in Germany, Switzerland, and Bermuda before marrying Munich businessman Stefan Schoerghuber.

When he passed away unexpectedly in 2008, she stepped in to lead the company. Today, their third child heads the executive board as CEO and chairman.

Beyond business, Alexandra has set up a foundation with her children to support disadvantaged children and promote science and research in Germany.

She and her family held a combined $7 billion in wealth as of March 7.

Wu Yajun

Wu Yajun, Chairwoman and Executive Director of Longfor Properties, in Beijing, China, on March 8, 2015. Photo by Oriental Image via Reuters

Wu Yajun, 61, is one of the wealthiest self-made women billionaires in the world. She co-founded property giant Longfor Properties in 1993 with her ex-husband, Cai Kui.

The company sold its first residential development four years later and quickly grew into other major cities across China, according to Bloomberg.

Now known as Longfor Group Holdings, the Beijing-based firm is one of the country’s top developers.

She was once China’s richest woman before losing that title after her divorce in 2012. Cai no longer has any role in the company.

She led Longfor as its chairwoman up until 2022 when she resigned due to her age and health concerns.

Before starting the business, Wu had worked as a factory worker, earning $16 a month, and a property journalist.

Her fortune, estimated at $6.7 billion as of March 7, remains largely tied to her substantial stake in the Hong Kong-listed firm.

Annette Lerner & family

Arnette Lerner (R) and her husband, Ted Lerner, founder of Lerner Enterprises. Photo courtesy of the company

Annette Lerner’s fortune began with a $250 loan she gave her husband to start a company that sold homes to real estate developers.

Founded in 1952, that firm, Lerner Enterprises, went on to become one of the most prominent property companies in the Washington, D.C. area.

The Lerners also built wealth through their ownership of the Washington Nationals baseball team, which they acquired in 2006 for $450 million. The team is now valued at $2.05 billion, according to CNBC.

The family is known for their philanthropy, donating to institutions such as Children’s National Hospital in D.C., George Washington University, and Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Lerner, 95, and her family held a combined net worth of $5.7 billion as of March 7.