From the Editor

  • Tsai Eng-meng is the chairman of Want Want China, one of the world's largest suppliers of Chinese-style snacks and drinks.
  • He also invests in hotels, financial services and media, including China Times newspaper and China Television Co.
  • At age 19, Tsai joined his father's food business and later came up with an idea for a new product: crackers made from rice flour. He took over the company as president in 1987.
  • Sons Kevin and Matthew, along with nephew Cheng Wen-Hsien, are members of Want Want's board of directors.
Wealth History
HOVER TO REVEAL NET WORTH BY YEAR
Personal Stats
Age
68
Source of Wealth
Food, beverages
Residence
Shanghai, China
Citizenship
Taiwan
Marital Status
Married
Did you know
Want Want is pronounced Wang Wang and means prosperity and fortune.
Tsai apparently wouldn't let his sons go to college, believing he was the best teacher.
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More on Forbes

Feb 8, 2015

Taiwan's Richest Man Faces Tougher Times In Mainland China

Want Want China Holdings, the Chinese snack food and beverage flagship controlled by Taiwan’s richest man Tsai Eng-Meng, warned shareholders today of declines in sales and profits during last year. After growing for about 20% annually in 2008-13, sales and profits for 2014 “may record a low single-digit percentage decrease due [...]
Aug 26, 2014

Earnings Growth At Taiwan Billionaire's Snack Maker Want Want Slows

Shares in Wang Want China, the Chinese snack and beverage producer controlled by Taiwan’s richest man Tsai Eng-meng, lost 1.7% in Hong Kong today after the company said profit growth for the first-half of this year dropped from a year earlier. Net profit rose by 3.5% to $318.4 million, compared [...]
Jun 30, 2014

2014 Forbes Taiwan Rich List (Full List)

(The 2014 Taiwan Rich List was unveiled on Wednesday, June 25, EDT.) 1. Tsai Eng-Meng, Want Want China, $9.6 billion 2. Wei brothers, Tingyi, $8.6 billion 3. Tsai Wan-Tsai, Fubon Financial Holdings, $7.9 billion 4. Terry Gou, Hon Hai Precision, $6.05 billion 5. Lin Yu-lin, $6 billion 6. Luo Jye, Cheng Shin Rubber, $4.6 billion 7. Barry [...]
Jul 2, 2013

2013 Forbes China Best CEOs List (Full List)

Here's the full list of China's best CEOs published today by Forbes China, the licensed Chinese-language edition of Forbes: (Click here for a list overview in English) (Click here for a link to Forbes China's list package) 1. Hong Qi, China Minsheng Banking 2. Tsai Eng-Meng, Want Want China 3. Dong Mingzhu, Gree Electric Appliances 4. [...]
May 21, 2012

Chinese Snack Food Giant Want Want Climbs 2.4% On Upbeat Business Outlook

Shares in Want Want China Holdings, the Chinese snack food giant controlled by Taiwan billionaire Tsai Eng-Meng, climbed by 2.4% in Hong Kong today following an upbeat assessment of the company’s business prospects in the mainland this year. Capital expenditure this year will increase by $400 million, compared with a rise [...]
Jan 21, 2010

Payson Cha's Chinese Opera

The head of Asia Television holds an emotionally-charged press conference to discuss his troubles with Taiwanese billionaire Tsai Eng-Meng.
Oct 9, 2009

Extending His Reach

Taiwan's Tsai Eng-Meng turned his Want Want rice crackers into a multibillion-dollar fortune. Selling juice won't be so easy.