Mars vs Li Ka-shing

Mars, Incorporated and CK Hutchison Holdings.

The differences

Forbes puts Jacqueline Mars about $1.6B ahead of Li Ka-shing.Forbes figures from 11 Oct 2026 and 9 Oct 2026.
Jacqueline Mars: inherited it. Li Ka-shing: founded it.
Jacqueline Mars is from United States; Li Ka-shing is from Hong Kong.

Put someone else on either side

Mars

Li Ka-shing

Net worth, Forbes: $50.3BForbes, 11 Oct 2026; $48.7BForbes, 9 Oct 2026
Net worth, Bloomberg: $48.8BBloomberg, 14 Oct 2026; $46.2BBloomberg, 12 Oct 2026
Forbes rank: No. 37Real-Time list, 8 Sep 2026; No. 38Real-Time list, 9 Oct 2026
Billionaire since: Not stated; 1987On Forbes' original 1987 international billionaires list, and on every list since

How it started: Inherited itMars was founded by her grandfather Frank C. Mars in 1911; Forbes says she owns an estimated one-third of it; Founded itStarted Cheung Kong Industries, a plastics maker, in 1950 at 21 with savings and loans from relatives; moved into property in 1960, listed Cheung Kong Holdings in 1972 and took control of Hutchison Whampoa in 1979
Main source: Mars, Incorporated (confectionery, snacks, food and pet care); CK Hutchison and CK Asset stockBloomberg also names Cenovus Energy among the stakes that make up most of his wealth
Companies: Mars, IncorporatedMars, Incorporated: None; retired; CK Hutchison Holdings, CK Asset HoldingsCK Hutchison Holdings: Senior advisor; CK Asset Holdings: Senior advisor
Biggest stake: Mars, Incorporated33% owned; CK Asset Holdings38% owned

Born: Not stated; 13 Jun 1928Chaozhou, Guangdong, China
Country: United StatesLives in Virginia, United States; Hong KongLives in Hong Kong
Education: Bachelor's degreeBryn Mawr College, class of 1961; No universityLeft high school; no university education
Parents: Granddaughter of Mars founder Frank C. Mars; her father Forrest E. Mars Sr. joined and later led the family business; Born into a poor family that fled to Hong Kong in 1940; his father had been a primary-school principal

Giving Pledge: Not a signer; Not a signer
Foundation: Mars HQ Regional FoundationIts Form 990-PF lists her as president; the Mars Impact Fund is a company initiative; Li Ka Shing FoundationThe foundation says he has put in over HK$30 billion since 1980
Lifetime giving: Not stated; $3.8BForbes, 10 Mar 2026. Forbes: the Li Ka Shing Foundation 'has donated more than $3.8 billion', over 80% to Greater China

Role now: RetiredNo role at Mars; formerly president of the Food Product Group and a board member; RetiredSenior advisor to CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Asset Holdings
Successor: Mars has been run by non-family management since 2001 (CEO Poul Weihrauch); her son Stephen Badger sits on the board; His elder son Victor Li succeeded him as chairman of CK Hutchison in May 2018 and also chairs CK Asset
Public office: None found; None found
Legal record: 2013: Loudoun County General District Court, VirginiaPleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving over a fatal crash in October 2013; the judge fined her $2,500 and suspended her licence for six months.; None found