Angela Chao was an American business executive and shipping industry leader with an estimated net worth of $100 million at the time of her death in 2024. She built her wealth primarily through her leadership role at Foremost Group, a global shipping company founded by her father, and through strategic business and investment ties.
Angela Chao was widely respected in international business circles and was known for modernizing her family’s shipping empire while promoting sustainability and global trade cooperation.
| Angela Chao Net Worth | $100 Million |
| Date of Birth | March 4, 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Syosset, New York |
Family Background
Angela Chao was born into one of the most prominent shipping families in the United States. She was the daughter of James Chao and Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, co-founders of Foremost Group, and the youngest of six daughters. Her sister, Elaine Chao, served as U.S. Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Transportation, making Senator Mitch McConnell her brother-in-law.
The Chao family’s long-standing success in maritime transportation played a major role in Angela Chao’s financial standing. Foremost Group operates a global fleet of vessels and works with major international clients in agriculture and energy logistics.
Early Life
Angela Chao was born on March 4, 1973, in Syosset, New York, and raised in Westchester County. Her parents emigrated from China to the United States after the Chinese Civil War and built Foremost Group into a major international shipping company.
She attended Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude in 1994 with a degree in economics. She later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, preparing her for leadership in global finance and maritime commerce.
Business Career
Angela Chao began her professional career in mergers and acquisitions at Smith Barney before joining Foremost Group in 1996. Over the years, she took on increasing responsibilities within the family business.
In 2018, she succeeded her father as Chairman and CEO of Foremost Group, becoming one of the most influential women in the global shipping industry. Under her leadership, the company invested in environmentally sustainable vessels, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. These initiatives strengthened Foremost Group’s reputation as a forward-thinking maritime company.
Beyond Foremost, Chao served on several influential boards and councils, including:
- Board member of the Bank of China
- Director at China State Shipbuilding Corporation
- Vice chair of the Council of China’s Foreign Trade
- Member of the Council on Foreign Relations
She was also a founding member of the Asian American Foundation, established to support education, representation, and anti-hate initiatives within the AAPI community.
Personal Life
Angela Chao was briefly married to financier Bruce Wasserstein, who passed away in 2009. In 2012, she married Jim Breyer, a billionaire venture capitalist and early Facebook investor through Accel Partners.
The couple had one son and later settled in Texas, where they owned property in Austin and Johnson City. Her marriage to Breyer further connected her to the global technology and investment world, though her personal wealth remained largely tied to shipping and family business interests.
Death
Angela Chao died on February 11, 2024, at the age of 50, following a tragic car accident in Texas. Her death drew international attention due to her high profile in business and public life.
She is remembered as a disciplined executive, a global trade advocate, and a leader who worked to modernize the shipping industry. Her estimated $100 million net worth reflected decades of family enterprise, executive leadership, and international influence.
Angela Chao Net Worth
Angela Chao net worth was estimated to be $100 during her death.
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