Tsai Wan-lin | |
|---|---|
蔡萬霖 | |
| Born | 10 November 1924 |
| Died | 27 September 2004(2004-09-27) (aged 79) |
| Nationality | Republic of China |
| Spouse | Chou Pao-chin |
| Children | Tsai Hong-tu (son) |
| Relatives | Tsai Chen-chou (nephew) |
Tsai Wan-lin (Chinese:蔡萬霖;pinyin:Caì Wànlín; 10 November 1924 – 27 September 2004) was a Taiwanese businessman who, at the peak of his wealth in 1996, was considered to be the fifth richest person in the world,[1] with a family net worth ofUS$12.2 billion.[2] At the time of his death in 2004, he was the richest man in Taiwan with a fortune of US$4.6 billion (NT$156.3 billion), ranked 94th worldwide.[3] He founded theLin Yuan Group, a largebanking andinsurance group.[4]
He was born into a poorfarmer's family in Chikunan Town, Chikunan District,Shinchiku Prefecture,Japanese-era Taiwan (modern-dayZhunan,Miaoli County). Tsai started out inTaipei by selling vegetables and soybeans with his brothers as a child.[5][6]
With one of his brothers Tsai joined Taipei's Tenth Credit Cooperative in 1960.[7] Two years later, they foundedCathay Life Insurance, which at the time of his death was the largest life insurance company in Taiwan.[5] Tenth Credit Cooperative was eventually transferred to Tsai Wan-lin's nephewTsai Chen-chou.
The family split Cathay Life Insurance in 1979. Tsai Wan-lin founded the Lin Yuan Group with his share.[8][9] Over the next 10 years, the Lin Yuan Group expanded to become the largest Taiwanese conglomerate.Cathay Financial Holdings, a division of the Lin Yuan Group, became Taiwan's largest financial holding company.[10] Cathay Insurance was renamed Fubon Insurance in 1992.[11]
Tsai was first listed by Forbes as a billionaire in 1987.[12] He was appointed a senior adviser to thepresident of the Republic of China in 2000.[13]
He died of heart disease at the age of 81 inTaipei'sCathay General Hospital, which he founded in 1977. He had been hospitalized for six years.[7][14] Tsai was married to Chou Pao-chin and had seven children.[15]
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