TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Business tycoon Terry Gou is making history as Taiwan's richest presidential candidate following his announcement of an independent run for the 2024 presidential election on Monday (Aug. 28).
In a bold statement, Gou said he was willing to sacrifice his personal fortune if China intended to attack Taiwan.
According to Forbes, Gou's assets amount to over US$7.4 billion, making him the wealthiest presidential candidate in the Republic of China's (Taiwan) history.
However, Gou contended that he personally owns no assets, claiming that it all belongs to Foxconn.
Gou emphasized that if China were to seize Foxconn's assets, it would, in effect, be targeting the company's million shareholders, a list that encompasses 50% foreign investors and will affect the pension funds of those working on Wall Street or London's financial institution bosses.
Forbes reported that Gou had previously claimed the title of Taiwan's wealthiest person in 2005, 2010, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. Despite falling 6th place last year, he still boasts over NT$230 billion in assets.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Gou ranks 333rd among the world's 500 wealthiest individuals and 4th richest in Taiwan, slightly behind Quanta Computer founder Barry Lam, Zhang Cong-yuan, and Chang Chun Group's Lim Tsu-Hong.