Thai Tycoon - #23 William Heinecke

#23 William Heinecke

Real Time Net Worth As of 5/2/15

$1.48 Billion

2014 Thailand's 50 Richest Net Worth

$1.1 Billion

Age 66

Source Of Wealth hotels, Self Made

Residence Bangkok, Thailand

Citizenship Thailand

Marital Status Married

Children 2

Thailand's hospitality tycoon William Heinecke started Minor International as a teenager, growing it into what is now a chain of 1,600 restaurants, 180 hotels and 250 retail outlets, spanning 18 countries in Asia, Middle East and Africa. The Bangkok-listed firm saw its shares surge more than 40% in the past 12 months as the political turmoil abated. He also owns the franchise for Swensens, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, The Coffee Club and Burger King. His homegrown Anantara branded hotel chain now has 42 properties in a dozen countries; it has just expanded into Europe and South America with the purchase of 6 hotels in Portugal and Brazil and plans to open another two in China this year. An outspoken advocate of Thailand's tourism sector, Heinecke led a PR campaign asking foreign countries to lift travel warnings that were imposed following demonstrations in Bangkok.