Early Life
Mochtar Riady, born Lie Mo Tie on May 12, 1929, in Malang, East Java, Indonesia. His parents migrated from Fujian, China, and arrived in Malang in 1918. He spent his early childhood in Fujian. At the age of 22, he entered the business world as the proprietor of a bicycle shop.
Rise to Success
In 1954, Riady moved to Jakarta to pursue a career in banking. He started his banking career at Bank of Central Asia (BCA), then founded Lippo Group. He later became a key figure in transforming the Indonesian banking industry. He developed Lippo Bank, which later grew into Lippo Group. He successfully raised BCA stock from IDR 12.8 billion to IDR 5 trillion.
Key Business Strategies
Riady is known for his ability to identify opportunities and his hard work. He has strategically expanded Lippo Group into real estate, retail, healthcare, media, and education. His leadership has been critical in the development of large-scale projects that have reshaped urban landscapes. James and Stephen Riady, Mochtar's sons, now run the Lippo Group.
Philanthropy
Mochtar Riady is known for his philanthropic endeavors. His family runs several charitable institutions in Indonesia, primarily focusing on health and education. He has also donated to educational institutions, including the NUS Business School and the Singapore Management University.