How South Korea’s Samsung clan made a US$45 billion financial comeback in 1 year

The Lee dynasty is now Asia’s third-richest family, up from 10th last year, thanks to an AI-driven upswing in semiconductor valuations

At the time, some observers speculated that the sheer scale of one of the world’s largest death levies could threaten the family’s control over the conglomerate.

Instead, more than five years later, an AI-driven upswing in semiconductor valuations has helped the family cement its grip and grow richer than ever. The Lees’ combined wealth climbed to about US$45.5 billion as of March, from roughly US$20.1 billion a year earlier, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

They are now Asia’s third-richest family, up from 10th last year. The heirs are set to complete the final instalment of their 12 trillion won (US$8.1 billion) inheritance tax due this month, wrapping up about five years of payments.

Source: News - South China Morning Post