It seems like China is pumping out new millionaires and billionaires everyday. Out with the stereotype image of country bumpkins in shabby monotone clothes, the new imagine of the Chinese in the eyes of western world is now represented by these grassroot riches who love to buy Louis Vuitton and Gucci products in bulk everywhere they go.
Most Chinese who landed on the Forbes' richest list 2010 are self-made with very humble beginnings. They are mostly
under 50 and made their riches in less than 10 years. Zong Qinghou (left) is the newly minted richest person in China and takes the #103 spot on the Forbes list. He had very little formal education and worked as a salt farmer and did other menial work. Zong started his 7 billion USD beverage empire with less than $20,000 USD. Liu Yongxing (#154 on Forbes) who is worth approximately 5 billion USD started his career as poultry farmer with his 3 brothers. His company is one of China's largest markers of animal feeds.China's new brigade of ultra riches also include a few
fierce women. Six out of world's top ten richest self-made women are Chinese. At number one with an estimated personal net worth of $5.6 billion, Zhang Yin (right) made her fortune from recycled paper. Following at number two Wu Yajun, a former journalist, chose a more conventional business when she founded Longfor Property in the steamy basin of Chongqing, one of China’s four municipalities. At number 3 is Chen Lihua, she too made her fortune in real estate with a focus on residential housing projects. Oprah is number nine.
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