13.Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua

Lee Kim Hua & family Widow of casino magnate Lim Goh Tong, who died in October 2007. Late husband was a public works contractor who transformed a jungle on Kuala Lumpur’s outskirts into one of world’s most successful casino resorts. Son Lim Kok Thay (No. 15) heads Genting. Believed to share fortune with kids, grandkids.

Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua, 81 Matriarch, Genting Group RM4.41 billion PUAN Sri Lee Kim Hua, widow of Genting Group founder Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, remains the wealthiest woman in Malaysia. Her wealth has grown by more than RM1 billion compared to last year. However, her ranking drops two notches.

For last year’s list, we had calculated her net worth to include the entire Lim estate. But part of that wealth has since been entrusted to two family trust funds.

Prior to 2007, Lee hardly made the news other than for her occasional launches of corporate functions. It was only after the death of her husband in October 2007 that she, as the beneficiary of his wealth, was propelled into the limelight as Malaysia’s richest woman.

While not directly involved in the running of Genting Group, Lee has been credited with being a firm supporter of her husband’s pioneering efforts and maverick success in growing Genting from a hilltop gaming resort into a conglomerate with stakes in power generation, plantations, and oil and gas.

Her second son, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, who ranks No. 5 on the list, now heads Genting Group, having taken over the executive chairmanship from his father in end-2003.