Lee family (Samsung Group)

Not to be confused with Lee family of the United States or Lee family of Singapore. For other uses, see Lee family (disambiguation).

Lee family
Parent family
Gyeongju Yi
Lee Byung-chul
(agnatic)
Suncheon Park
Park Du-eul
(enatic)
Current region
 Seoul, South Korea
Place of origin
Taikyu, Korea, Empire of Japan
Founded1938
FounderLee Byung-chul, 1st Chairman of Samsung Group
Current headLee Jae-yong, 3rd Chairman of Samsung Group
DistinctionsControlling shareholders of Samsung Group

The Lee family[1] also known as the Lee Samsung family,[2] is a wealthy South Korean business family. The family rose to prominence with Lee Byung-chul, who started Samsung as a small trading company in Daegu during the Korea under Japanese rule in 1938 and went on to grow Samsung into one of South Korea's biggest companies since the 1960s.[3] It is one of the wealthiest families in Asia and the wealthiest in South Korea.[4]

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. In 2012, some family members, including elder siblings, filed lawsuits against Lee Kun-hee claiming portions of what he received in inheritance. The court ruled in favor of Lee Kun-hee.[5][6] After Lee Kun-hee's death in 2020, control transitioned to his son Lee Jae-yong.[7]

The Lee family's control over Samsung is maintained through a complex network of cross-shareholdings among affiliated companies rather than direct majority ownership.[8]

In 2025, various members resided in Seoul's Itaewon-ro corridor.[9]

In 2026, the family completed its payment of 12 trillion won (roughly 6 billion British pounds or 8 billion US dollars) in inheritance taxes, the largest collection in South Korea's history. The taxes was paid in six instalments over the prior 5 years by the members of the family such as Hong Ra-hee, Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun. Their inheritance upon Lee Kun-hee's passing was worth 26 trillion won, including shares, property and art collections. The rate the family paid for inheritance taxes was 50%, one of the largest in the world.[2]

Members' fortune

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

Name Net worth ($) Ref.
Lee Jae-yong 18.2 billion [10]
Hong Ra-hee 8 billion [11]
Lee Boo-jin 7.5 billion [12]
Lee Seo-hyun 7 billion [13]

Notable members also include Hong Seok-joh[14], Chung Yong-jin, Hong Seok-hyun, Lee Myung-hee, and Lee Jay-hyun.

Family tree

Incomplete members of Samsung family[a]
Lee Byung-chulPark Du-eul
Lee In-heeLee Kun-heeHong Ra-heeLee Myung-hee
Lee Jae-yongLee Boo-jinLee Seo-hyunLee Yoon-hyung
References:
  1. ↑ "The Samsung Family Chart". The Chosun Daily. August 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2026.

References

  1. ↑ Shen, Lucinda. "Meet Samsung's billionaire Lee family, South Korea's most powerful dynasty". Business Insider. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Samsung family pays off record $8bn inheritance tax bill". BBC News. May 4, 2026. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  3. ↑ "(10) Lee Byung-chull: founder of Samsung Group". The Korea Times. October 12, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  4. ↑ Ji-hye, Shin (November 11, 2016). "Samsung's Lee family tops Forbes' 50-richest list in Asia". The Korea Herald. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Lee Kun-hee wins family feud suit". The Korea Times. February 1, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  6. ↑ 양승진 (February 1, 2013). "Samsung's Lee wins inheritance court battle". The Korea Herald. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  7. ↑ Blankfeld, Keren. "Asia's Richest Family Gets Richer Thanks To Strong Samsung Forecasts". Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  8. ↑ Hae-yeon, Kim (January 29, 2024). "Samsung family ranks 12th wealthiest in Asia". The Korea Herald. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  9. ↑ Min-sik, Yoon (December 17, 2025). "Where do South Korea's chaebols live?". The Korea Herald. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Jay Y. Lee". Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Hong Ra-hee". Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Lee Boo-jin". Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Lee Seo-hyun". Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  14. ↑ "JoongAng's late chairman's wife dies". Korea Joongang Daily. June 5, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
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