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Top 10 Facts About Cher Wang 

Cher Wang is a Taiwanese entrepreneur. As co-founder and chairperson since 2007 of HTC Corporation and integrated chipset maker VIA Technologies, she is one of the most successful women in computer technology. 

Cher studied abroad at The College Preparatory School in Oakland, California, and received her bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1981. Here are the top 10 facts about Cher Wang.

1. Cher is listed as the wealthiest person in Taiwan

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 In May 2011, Forbes ranked her, with husband Wen Chi Chen, as the wealthiest person in Taiwan, with a net worth of US$8.8 billion. In August 2012, Wang was named No. 56 on Forbes’ list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. 

As of 2014, Forbes listed her as the 54th most powerful woman in the world. Read more on Icons of the East: A Look at the 100 Most Influential People of Asia. 

2. Cher Wang’s father was one of the wealthiest individuals in Taiwan

Wang’s father Wang Yung-ching, also called YC Wang, was an entrepreneur who founded a large business empire in Taiwan.

He was the founder of the plastics and petrochemicals conglomerate Formosa Plastics Group and one of the wealthiest individuals in Taiwan before his death in 2008.

3. Cher is one of the most successful women in computer technology

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Cher is the co-founder and chairperson of HTC Corporation and integrated chipset maker VIA Technologies. HTC is a Taiwanese consumer electronics company founded in 1997, HTC began as an original design manufacturer and original equipment manufacturer and designed and manufactured laptop computers. Read more about 15 Most Famous Business Women in the world. 

4. Wang joined First International Computer in 1982

FIC is a Taiwanese original equipment manufacturer and system integrator for automotive electronics and smart building controls. FIC provides design consultancy and supply chain management services for automotive electronic suppliers worldwide. 

It is at this time that Wang and others founded VIA in 1987 and HTC in 1997. Smartphones are the core products of both companies.

5. Wang attended the University of California, Berkeley

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Cher Wang received her bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1981.

Wang has also made significant donations to the University of California, Berkeley, including funding to enhance the American Physical Society’s Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize. The prize is given to researchers who make considerable contributions to the field of condensed matter physics.

6. Cher’s company HTC announced a US$1.1 billion partnership with Google 

In March 2015, Cher Wang took over the CEO role from Peter Chou and returned to the day-to-day operations of HTC.

In September 2017, HTC and Google announced a US$1.1 billion cooperation agreement, in which certain HTC employees will join Google and Google will receive HTC IP through a non-exclusive licensing agreement.

7. Wang’s charity foundations have a market value of over US$200 million

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Wang’s Charity Foundations hold eight investment companies’ stocks with a market value of over US$200 million. In 2011 Wang donated US$28.1 million to help fund Guizhou Forerunner College, a charitable college in southwest China set up by VIA Technologies’ non-profit Faith-Hope-Love Foundation.

The not-for-profit college aims to provide three years of free or low-cost education to students from low-income families. Wang has stated that if the college proves successful she may set up additional similar institutions in other parts of the country.

8. Cher is a well-known supporter of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou 

While Cher Wang says she prefers to stay out of the limelight, she has been active in Taiwan’s politics, however, supporting Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou in his bid for re-election and voicing her support for the 1992 Consensus.

Ma Ying-jeou is a Taiwanese politician who served as president of the Republic of China from 2008 to 2016. 

9. Wang has been accused of backing and funding anti-LGBTQ groups in Taiwan

These groups and activities are including cooperating with the US-based group International House of Prayer. Two non-profit organizations that Wang runs allegedly gave approximately $388 million to anti-LGBTQ groups in Taiwan over the past five years. Read more on 10 Most Powerful Gay Politicians (LGBTQIA). 

10. Cher’s husband is the CEO of VIA Technologies

Her husband Wen Chi Chen has been President and CEO of VIA Technologies, Inc. since 1992. Prior to VIA, Chen co-founded and was President and CEO of Symphony Laboratories. 

He also held positions of Sales & Marketing VP at high-tech start-up ULSI and senior architect at Intel. Chen holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the National Taiwan University and a master’s in computer science from the California Institute of Technology.