What is the Net Worth of the Richest Woman in Philippines?

If you Google "top 10 richest women in the Philippines," the names on this list always come up. These women continue to make a name for themselves and lead in their respective industries, impacting and slowly changing the world—all while climbing the ranks of the wealthiest in the world.

Some of them inherited their fortune, while others worked hard to become self-made billionaires. But they all have something in common: their success stories inspire those who want to succeed as entrepreneurs.

So who is the richest woman in the Philippines? Let’s find out.

The Richest Women in the Philippines

According to Forbes,^[1] the richest woman in the Philippines in 2022 is a Sy. The second richest woman? Her sister. Read how these women made their fortune below.

👉 Teresita Sy-Coson

Photo: SM Investments

Forbes 2022 Billionaires rank: 1,292
Net worth: US$2.4 billion (₱130.5 billion)
Source of wealth: Diversified
Company: SM Investments, BDO Unibank

Leading the charge is Teresita Sy-Coson. She is Co-Chairman of SM Investments, which was started by her father, the late Henry Sy. Her experience with SM Investments, one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines, spans mall development and retail merchandising.

At 72 years old, Teresita currently serves as Chairperson of BDO Unibank, one of the biggest banks in the country. She’s also the Vice Chairman of the SM Foundation.

Teresita is the eldest child and the first daughter of the Sy family. She married Chinese lumber tycoon Louis Coson, who died in 2003. They have three children.

👉 Elizabeth Sy

Forbes 2022 Billionaires rank: 1,445
Net worth: US$2 billion (₱108.7 billion)
Source of wealth: Diversified
Company: SM Hotels and Conventions

Like her older sister Teresita, Elizabeth Sy made it to the Forbes’ Billionaires List in 2022. She is the second child and daughter of Henry Sy.

Elizabeth earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Maryknoll College. She started her career as an assistant at the Manila Royal Hotel, her father’s first hotel business.

Bearing a net worth of ₱108.7 billion, Elizabeth works in the company’s leisure, tourism, and hospitality operations, serving as SM Hotels and Conventions’ Chairperson and President.

👉 Vivian Que Azcona

Forbes 2022 Philippines’ Richest rank: 18
Net worth: US$1.1 billion (₱59.8 billion)
Source of wealth: Drugstores
Company: Mercury Drug Corporation

Vivian Que Azcona is the president of Mercury Drug, the country's biggest drugstore chain. She is the eldest daughter of Mariano Que, who founded Mercury Drug in 1945.

A Pharmacy graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, Vivian learned everything about pharmacy retailing from her father—from warehousing, distribution, store operations, and marketing to research, finance, and overall management.

She worked her way up the corporate ladder, starting as assistant general manager and moving up to vice president and general manager in the ‘80s. She became president in 1998.

Vivian is the largest shareholder of Mercury Drug. Her net worth includes stakes held by her siblings.

👉 Betty Ang

Photo: Forbes

Forbes 2022 Philippines’ Richest rank: 20
Net worth: US$1.05 billion (₱57.1 billion)
Source of wealth: Food Manufacturing
Company: Monde Nissin

Not trailing far behind is Betty Ang, president and co-founder of Monde Nissin, one of the biggest food manufacturers in the Philippines. Her 2022 net worth is US$1.05B, or around ₱57.1 billion.

She founded the company in 1979 with her late father-in-law, Hidajat Darmono. Betty’s husband, Hoediono Kweefanus, owns Monde Nissin shares as well and works as the company's vice chairman.

In June 2021, Monde Nissin made its debut on the Philippines' bourse and raised ₱55.9 billion (US$1.1 billion)―the country's biggest-ever IPO.

👉 Soledad Oppen-Cojuangco

Forbes 2022 Philippines’ Richest rank: 21
Net worth: US$985 million (₱53.6 billion)
Source of wealth: Food, Drinks
Company: San Miguel

Soledad Oppen-Cojuangco joins the ranks of the richest women in the Philippines after inheriting her fortune from her late husband, Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

Danding served as Chairman and CEO of San Miguel, one of the largest food and infrastructure conglomerates in the Philippines, until his death in June 2020. Currently, Ramon Ang runs the operations as President and Chief Operating Officer.

Soledad's four children, Mark, Carlos, Luisa, and Margarita, share her fortune.

👉 Sylvia C. Wenceslao

Photo: D.M. Wenceslao & Associates

Forbes 2022 Philippines’ Richest rank: 39
Net worth: US$340 million (₱18.5 billion)
Source of wealth: Real Estate
Company: D.M. Wenceslao & Associates

D.M. Wenceslao & Associates was founded by Sylvia C. Wenceslao’s father-in-law, Delfin Sr., in 1965. Over the years, it grew and became known for its land reclamation projects. In 2018, Sylvia's husband, Delfin Jr., took the company public on the Philippine Stock Exchange.

When Delfin Jr., died in September 2021, Sylvia took over as Chairman of D.M. Wenceslao & Associates. With a net worth of ₱18.5 billion, Sylvia reached the 39th spot on Forbes’ richest people in the Philippines in 2022.

Delfin Jr. and Sylvia’s youngest son, Delfin Angelo, is the company’s Chief Executive. Their three other sons also hold different positions in the company.

👉 Consunji Sisters

Net worth: US$2.65 billion (₱144 billion)
Source of wealth: Construction
Company: DMCI Holdings (and subsidiaries DMCI Power Corporation, Wire Rope Corporation of the Philippines, DMCI Project Developers, Inc., etc.)

Sisters Josefa, Luz, Maria Cristina, and Maria Edwina are among the richest women in the Philippines, with a combined net worth of ₱144 billion. They are the heiresses of David Consunji, who founded DMCI Holdings in 1954.

They share their fortune with siblings Jorge and Isidro. The latter is the eldest son who acts as President and Director of DMCI Holdings.

Maria Cristina and Maria Edwina sit on the Board of Directors of DMCI Holdings and its subsidiary Semirara Mining and Power Corporation. Meanwhile, Josefa sits on the Board of Semirara, while Luz is on the board of DMCI Holdings.

Today, DMCI is one of the biggest property developers in the country. DMCI Holdings also has interests in water, mining, and power generation services. Its 2021 revenue jumped to US$2.1 billion, doubling its net profits to US$350 million.

More Names on Our List of Richest Women in the Philippines

Although they’re not on the Forbes Richest People list, these women certainly are some of the wealthiest and most recognizable in their fields.

👉 Josie Natori

Photo: @josienatori (Instagram)

Net worth (as of 2018): US$150 million (₱8.14 billion)
Source of wealth: Fashion, Self-Made
Company: The Natori Company

Josie Natori (born Josephina Almeda Cruz) is the founder and CEO of The Natori Company, a global women's fashion brand based in New York City. Her wealth also comes from properties in Manhattan, Westchester County, and Palm Beach in the United States.

After she made history as the first woman vice president in corporate finance at Merrill Lynch, Josie eventually started her luxury fashion business in 1977. It now retails in various U.S. department stores and runs a factory in Manila with 500 workers.

The self-made billionaire got her entrepreneurial spirit from her Filipino family. Even after 45 years, The Natori Company is still a privately held and family-owned business, with her son, Kenneth, as president.

Over four decades later, Josie’s company is still exploring new ventures, working on new designs, and earning awards worldwide. It’s no surprise that Josie Natori’s net worth continues to grow.

👉 Alice Eduardo

Net worth: Undisclosed
Source of wealth: Real Estate, Hospitality, Self-Made
Company: Sta. Elena Construction and Development

Although no published numbers online can verify Alice Eduardo’s net worth, one can’t deny her wealth and success in the construction industry.

Alice is the founder, president, and CEO of Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corporation. She is known as the Woman of Steel because of her big construction projects. In fact, she’s responsible for constructing 80% of the Entertainment City in Paranaque.

Alice shares her life online, giving people a peek into her lavish lifestyle. Her Manila residence is a sight to behold—three stories, seven bedrooms, tall ceilings, and panoramic windows. Priceless art pieces hang on the walls, and expensive decor and furniture litter every room.

She also owns a mansion in Beverly Hills, estimated to be worth US$16.5 million (₱898 million); Rolls-Royces; Gucci clothes; and Hermès bags.

But the construction magnate also has a soft spot for young cancer patients. In 2014, she funded the pediatric isolation ward for cancer patients at the Philippine General Hospital, which cost around ₱14 million. According to Forbes, Alice has donated over US$1.3 million (₱67 million) since 2014.

👉 Small Laude

Photo: @smalllaude (Instagram)

Net worth: Undisclosed
Source of wealth: Diversified
Company: Timson Printing, Timson Securities

You’ve probably seen her YouTube^[1] videos about her life as a "crazy rich Asian," which is why Marissa “Small” Laude made it to this list of wealthiest women in the Philippines.

Like her older sister Alice Eduardo, Small Laude and her husband Philip have a roster of thriving businesses. Before marrying Philip, Small’s family amassed their fortune from rice trading, rice milling, and exporting garments. Small and Philip now own Timson Printing and Timson Securities, where they hold the president and vice president roles.

Although no accurate figures confirm Small Laude’s net worth, the luxurious lifestyle she candidly shares on social media proves that she is one of the wealthiest women in the Philippines.

She has a jaw-dropping, six-story, tropical-inspired home in one of the poshest locations in the country. She also owns a mansion in Beverly Hills with a lap pool and a vast garden.

She often splurges on spur-of-the-moment shopping trips abroad and has a vast collection of priceless furniture, art, and fashion items, including exclusive Hermès bags that cost millions of pesos. Her Birkin 30 Himalayan bag reportedly has a price tag of US$250,000, or around ₱13.6 million.

Small likes to give back by giving food and medical support to those in need through her outreach program called “Small Saturdays.”

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Final Thoughts

A woman’s role today is no longer limited to being a homemaker. Because they know how to handle money well, women can lead the household and run a business. The richest woman in the Philippines and the rest who made it to this list are living proof of that.

Sources:

^[1] Philippines' 50 Richest (Forbes)
^[2] Small Laude (YouTube)
Featured photos from Forbes and D.M. Wenceslao and Associates

The Richest Women in the Philippines (and Their Sources of Wealth)

Rouselle Isla