Samsung family

This article is about the Lee family, founders of Samsung. For the English surname, see Lee (English surname). For the U.S. family, see Lee family. For the Singaporean family, see Lee family (Singapore). For the Samsung family, see Samsung family. For other uses, see Lee family (disambiguation).

Lee
Business family
Lee Byung-chul, founder of Samsung
Etymology	Lee (Korean surname); also romanized as Yi, Rhee, or I
Place of origin	South Korea
Founded	1938
Founder	Lee Byung-chul (1910–1987)
Distinctions	One of the wealthiest families in Asia

The Lee family, commonly referred to as the Samsung family, is a South Korean family whose collective fortune derives primarily from Samsung Group and its affiliated subsidiaries, the multinational conglomerate ( chaebol ) founded by Lee Byung-chul in 1938. ^[1] It is one of the wealthiest families in Asia and the wealthiest in South Korea. ^[2]

Samsung Group is one of the world's largest business conglomerates, with major subsidiaries including Samsung Electronics, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Samsung Life Insurance.

Overview

The Lee family has exercised controlling influence over Samsung for three generations. Following the death of founder Lee Byung-chul in 1987, leadership passed to his son Lee Kun-hee, who is widely credited with transforming Samsung into a global leader in electronics, semiconductors, and mobile technology. After Lee Kun-hee's death in 2020, control transitioned to his son Lee Jae-yong, also known as Jay Y. Lee. ^[3]

The Lee family's control over Samsung is maintained through a complex network of cross-shareholdings among affiliated companies rather than direct majority ownership. ^[4]

Many of its members are known for operating separating businesses, primarily in Asia.

The family has paid billions in inheritance taxes. ^[5]

Lee family fortune

The Lee family's direct members include, as of January 2026:

• Lee Jae-yong, $18.2 billion ^[6]
• Hong Ra-hee, $8 billion ^[7]
• Lee Boo-jin, $7.5 billion ^[8]
• Lee Seo-hyun, $7 billion ^[9]

Notable members also include Hong Seok-joh, Chung Yong-jin, Hong Seok-hyun, Lee Myung-hee, and Lee Jay-hyun.

References

1. "The Samsung Family Chart". The Chosun Daily. August 8, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
2. Ji-hye, Shin (November 11, 2016). "Samsung's Lee family tops Forbes' 50-richest list in Asia". The Korea Herald. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
3. Blankfeld, Keren. "Asia's Richest Family Gets Richer Thanks To Strong Samsung Forecasts". Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
4. Hae-yeon, Kim (January 29, 2024). "Samsung family ranks 12th wealthiest in Asia". The Korea Herald. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
5. Thompson, Polly. "Late Samsung chairman's family sell $2 billion worth of shares to help pay huge South Korean inheritance tax". Business Insider. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
6. "Jay Y. Lee". Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
7. "Hong Ra-hee". Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
8. "Lee Boo-jin". Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
9. "Lee Seo-hyun". Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2026.