Wu Yajun

It’s been a remarkable career for the former factory worker and journalist, who’s worked her way up to become one of China’s wealthiest women. Wu and her ex-husband Cai Kui founded Longfor in 1993 and subsequently built a commercial real estate empire that grew in tandem with China’s skyrocketing domestic economy. Wu remained at Longfor’s helm after divorcing Cai in 2012, but the past year saw her transfer control of her 44% stake in the firm to her daughter Cai Xinyi as a matter of “succession planning,” according to Longfor. Wu still appears to be in charge, however; the company noted that Cai Xinyi will wield her control of the company in line with her mother’s wishes.

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