Lihua Chen Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

From Humble Beginnings to Real Estate Powerhouse

Chen Lihua was born in 1941 in the historic Summer Palace, Beijing, China — a birthplace that resonates with imperial heritage.  Her family belonged to a noble Manchu lineage tied to the old imperial order, but by the time of her birth, they had lost their ancestral privileges and suffered financial hardship.

Poverty forced her to leave high school. Undeterred, she channeled her entrepreneurial spirit into a furniture repair business in the 1970s — a modest beginning that would sow the seeds of her future empire.

In the early 1980s, Chen relocated to Hong Kong, diving into furniture trading. There, she reportedly leveraged the demand for furnishings — accumulating enough capital even to purchase villas.  By the late 1980s she returned to Beijing, and in the early 1990s, she founded Fu Wah International Group, setting in motion one of the most remarkable rags-to-riches stories in modern China. 

Building an Empire: Real Estate, Culture & Diversification

Under Chen’s leadership, Fu Wah expanded well beyond standard residential housing. The conglomerate branched into commercial real estate, hospitality, tourism, arts, and even red sandalwood craftsmanship.

A crowning cultural achievement came in 1999, when she founded the China Red Sandalwood Museum — a 25,000-square-meter museum housing priceless sandalwood artworks, many inspired by traditional Qing-era craftsmanship.  This venture reflects how Chen’s early life in the Summer Palace — surrounded by heritage furnishings — deeply shaped her appreciation for Chinese craftsmanship and cultural preservation.

Over time, Chen gradually shifted from day-to-day business management to focus on her museum and philanthropy. Her children — one son and two daughters — now play active roles in running parts of her business empire.

Wealth, Recognition, and What It’s Worth

By many accounts, Chen Lihua ranks among China’s most successful self-made businesswomen — a rare example of someone who rose from poverty to the upper echelons of wealth without inheritance.

Estimating her net worth is complex. A recent report from 2024–2025 cites a figure of roughly 55 billion yuan (about US $7.7 billion) — reflecting the value of her real-estate holdings and her museum investments.

However, other sources are more conservative, citing a net worth of ≈ US $3.7–$2.7 billion, depending on valuation methods and currency fluctuations. 

Regardless of the exact number, analysts and media consistently rank her among the top self-made female billionaires globally and, at one point, the richest woman in China. 

Beyond money, her legacy includes influence. In 2012, she was named among the world’s 100 most influential people by TIME magazine — a testament to her fusion of business acumen with cultural patronage.

Private Life, Philanthropy, and Personal Passions

Chen is married to Chinese actor Chi Zhongrui, known for his role in the classic adaptation of Journey to the West. The couple reportedly tied the knot in 1990, and Chen has described her decision to pursue Chi as rooted in admiration for his character. 

Together they have three children — one son and two daughters — all of whom have participated in managing parts of Chen’s business empire.

Despite her immense wealth, many accounts describe Chen as discreet, humble, and deeply committed to giving back. Through both her business and philanthropic ventures, she has donated significant sums for disaster relief and social causes. 

Her passion for heritage and craftsmanship continues to guide her work with the Red Sandalwood Museum — which she views not just as a business, but as a labor of love, a tribute to China’s cultural legacy, and a bridge between past and future.

Why Her Story Matters: A Legacy Beyond Numbers

Chen Lihua’s journey — from a young woman mending furniture in poverty, to a billionaire property mogul and cultural patron — encapsulates the possibilities of perseverance, vision, and strategic risk-taking. Her story resonates beyond wealth: it’s about reclaiming heritage, redefining gender expectations in business, and using influence for cultural and social good.

In an era when many mega-wealthy individuals focus solely on financial returns, Chen stands out for balancing commerce with culture and conscience. Her founding of the China Red Sandalwood Museum is a statement: that heritage — even art form as niche (and exquisitely delicate) as sandalwood carving — deserves preservation. And that success isn’t only about real estate square-footage, but about legacy.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women: Chen’s life offers a blueprint. Hard work, strategic reinvestment, diversification — and a commitment to purpose beyond profit.

What Remains Uncertain

Despite widespread coverage, some personal details about Chen Lihua remain murky or contradictory. For example:

• While some biographies list her birthdate as “January 1, 1941,” this date lacks confirmation in official records.

• Estimates of her net worth vary significantly depending on the source, exchange rates, and valuation methodology — so any figure should be viewed as approximate.

• The extent and structure of her family relationships are partially obscured, and details about how she distributes her assets (or her heirs’ involvement) are not public.

Because of these inconsistencies, any portrayal of Chen Lihua must maintain cautious humility — giving weight to what’s clearly sourced, while acknowledging the unknowns.

Chen Lihua’s life — her age/birthdate (1941), her birthday origin in the Summer Palace, her tremendous rise from poverty, her relationships and family, and her wealth — combines into a portrait of a woman who did not just build a business: she built a legacy. Her story remains one of China’s most striking examples of resilience, vision, and graceful influence.