Chang Yun Chung Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

A Humble Beginning on Kinmen — Birthdate and Early Roots

Chang Yun Chung was born on August 27, 1918 in Kinmen, China (also spelled Jinmen).  Before rising to global prominence as a shipping magnate, his early life was shaped by upheaval: like many of his generation, he experienced migration and instability as he moved to Singapore. 

His formal education included attending primary school in Kinmen, high school in Xiamen, and later studying at Xiamen Datung College. 

That foundation — modest origins, displaced by geopolitics, yet educated — would frame the beginnings of a remarkable journey into global shipping.

From Produce Manager to Founding a Shipping Empire: The Rise of PIL

Soon after World War II, in 1948, Chang joined a produce company in Singapore known as Thye Hin Guan Brothers as a general manager. The following year, in 1949, he entered the shipping business by assisting Thye Hin Guan Brothers to form a shipping outfit called Kie Hock — marking his first steps into maritime logistics. 

Almost two decades later, in 1967, Chang made a bold move: he founded his own company, Pacific International Lines (PIL), starting modestly with just two second-hand ships operating a coastal route between Jakarta and Bangkok.  Over the decades, under his stewardship, PIL grew from a small coastal operator into one of Singapore’s—and Asia’s—leading privately-owned shipping companies, expanding into container shipping and pioneering foreign container routes into China. 

Chang’s leadership style was famously disciplined and hands-on. Even as he aged, he maintained a daily presence in the company, often visiting the firm’s Singapore headquarters regularly.  His work ethic, humility, and long-term vision helped steer PIL through decades of regional and global trade shifts, cementing his legacy in maritime logistics.

Wealth, Recognition, and the Title of “Oldest Billionaire”

Chang Yun Chung’s financial success unfolded gradually but impressively. According to major business reporting (including Forbes), he officially crossed into billionaire status in 2014.  By 2015, his wealth was estimated at as high as US$2.7 billion. 

In March 2017 — after the passing of David Rockefeller — Chang became widely recognized as the world’s oldest living billionaire.  As of late 2018, many reports estimated his net worth around US$1.9 billion.

In the final years of his life, the valuations adjusted down. In August 2020, shortly before his passing, Forbes pegged his net worth at US$875 million.

Despite market fluctuations, the arc of his wealth — from modest beginnings to global shipping leadership — remains a powerful example of long-term entrepreneurship and resilience.

Personal Life and Family: A Private Man with a Large Clan

While Chang Yun Chung kept a low public profile, some aspects of his personal life are known. He had 14 children: eight sons and six daughters.  Among them, his son Teo Siong Seng took over as executive chairman of PIL in April 2018, as Chang stepped down from day-to-day control but remained involved as chairman emeritus. 

Chang’s general reticence toward the media earned him a reputation as private, deliberate, and focused solely on building his legacy rather than public acclaim. 

In one of the few interviews he granted, he cited honesty, hard work, and keeping promises as his guiding principles: “I’m hard-working, I’m very honest with everyone. Whatever I promise, I always fulfill my promise.”

The Finale — Death and the Continuation of Legacy

Chang Yun Chung passed away in his sleep at his Singapore home on September 4, 2020 — just days after celebrating his birthday on August 27.  Though he is no longer with us, his impact endures. PIL remains active under the leadership of his son, and his story — from immigrant roots to global shipping empire — continues to inspire entrepreneurs across Asia and the world.

Why Chang Yun Chung’s Story Still Matters

Chang Yun Chung’s life embodies several powerful themes: resilience amid upheaval, steady growth through decades, quiet leadership, and the value of long-term thinking. In an era when many business stories focus on rapid success or flashy exits, his journey stood out for its slow-burn accumulation of value, stewardship of family and enterprise, and deep commitment to industry and principle.

For anyone in shipping, logistics, entrepreneurship, or global trade, his legacy is more than a biography — it’s a blueprint for building enduring success across generations.