Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, better known internationally as Jay Y. Lee, has seen his fortune soar to $12.9 billion after a sharp rally in Samsung shares during the first 100 days of South Korea’s new administration under President Lee Jae-myung.
The value of Lee’s holdings rose by $1.09 billion as Samsung Electronics stock jumped 27%, reflecting investor optimism over the new government’s economic policies. Market observers say President Lee’s more balanced approach toward the country’s family-run conglomerates, known as chaebol, has eased regulatory uncertainties that dogged them under previous administrations.
Data compiled by a Seoul-based corporate research firm show that Lee’s portfolio, which spans seven Samsung affiliates, reached $13.3 billion as of September 11. His largest gains came from Samsung Electronics, where his stake climbed from $4.05 billion to $5.11 billion.
Samsung Life Insurance surged nearly 48%, boosting his holdings from $1.63 billion to $2.41 billion. Samsung C&T, the group’s de facto holding company, rose 18% to $4.54 billion, while IT services arm Samsung SDS gained 23%, pushing Lee’s stake to $837 million.
The rally marks the first time Lee’s equity assets have topped $12.9 billion since inheriting his late father Lee Kun-hee’s shares in 2021.
At the time of the inheritance settlement in April that year, his portfolio was valued at about $10.9 billion.
Analysts estimate his holdings would need to rise another 10%—to roughly $14.3 billion—to reach the next major milestone.
That would require Samsung Electronics to hit $64.70 per share, Samsung C&T to climb to $143, and both Samsung Life and Samsung SDS to cross $122.
Lee, who formally became executive chairman of Samsung Electronics in 2022, remains a pivotal figure in the global tech supply chain.
Despite years of legal battles over corruption charges tied to Samsung’s succession, he continues to shape the group’s strategy in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and next-generation devices.
His rising fortune underscores not only Samsung’s dominance in global tech but also how South Korea’s new political leadership is reshaping the outlook for its corporate titans.
