Villar and 15 others make Forbes 2025 richest list

Real estate mogul Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr. has solidified his position as the Philippines' wealthiest individual, topping Forbes' World's Billionaires 2025 list.

With a staggering net worth of $17.2 billion as of 1 April 2025, Villar's fortune skyrocketed from $11 billion the previous year, propelling him to no. 115 on the global rankings, up from no. 117 in 2024.

His immense wealth surge is driven by his strategic investments in Golden MV Holdings, a company he leads, which reported a record P1 trillion in profits in 2024, thanks to booming property valuations.

Villar’s rise to success has always been tied to his expertise in real estate. As chairman of Vista Land & Lifescapes, one of the Philippines' largest property developers, Villar has shaped the country’s residential and commercial landscape. While his business empire is well-known, his influence extends beyond business; he’s also a former lawmaker and presidential hopeful.

His son, Manuel Paolo Villar, now manages the family business, while his wife, Cynthia Villar, and son Mark hold political positions as senators. His daughter, Camille, is currently gunning for a senate position.

The Villar family’s presence in both business and politics has further cemented their status as one of the most powerful families in the country.

Villar is just one of 15 Filipino billionaires featured in the Forbes World’s Billionaires 2025 list. Enrique Razón Jr., a tycoon in the ports and casino industries, ranks second among Filipinos, with a net worth of $10.9 billion. San Miguel Corporation chairman Ramon Ang takes third with $3.7 billion, while LT Group founder Lucio Tan rounds out the top four with $3 billion.

The Sy family, heirs to the SM Group, also claim multiple spots on the list, with Henry Sy Jr. leading at $2.3 billion, followed by his siblings. Other notable names include Andrew Tan of Alliance Global ($1.6 billion) and retail magnates Lucio Co and Susan Co, who together control Puregold Price Club.

This year’s list also sees the addition of Eusebio Tanco, whose wealth grew significantly due to his online gaming firm, Digiplus Interactive Corp., benefiting from the boom in digital entertainment. Tanco's rise to the billionaire ranks highlights the changing landscape of wealth creation in the Philippines.

While the Philippines sees more of its tycoons making it onto the global billionaires list, the world's richest remain tech giants. Elon Musk holds the top spot with $342 billion, followed by Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, both with net worths exceeding $200 billion.

The continued rise of Filipino billionaires like Villar, Razón, and Ang reflects a growing economic force in the country. These business leaders are increasingly making their mark on the global stage, with their investments and influence shaping industries not only in the Philippines but worldwide.