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S'pore's richest man & Nippon Paint tycoon Goh Cheng Liang dies at 98
mothership.sg
News
He first ran a small paint shop in Singapore before becoming the main local distributor of Nippon Paint.
Singaporean billionaire Goh Cheng Liang, who was Singapore's richest man at the time of reporting, passed away on Aug. 12 morning at the age of 98.
Goh was the founder of paint and coatings maker Wuthelam Group, and held a majority stake in Nippon Paint.
A Wuthelam Group media release said that Goh “passed away this morning with family members by his side”, The Straits Times reported.
Forbes' 2025 list of global billionaires listed Goh as the 182nd richest person in the world, and the richest Singaporean.
According to Forbes, Goh had a net worth of US$13.1 billion (S$16.8 billion) as of Aug. 11.
Goh reportedly drew a bulk of his wealth from his majority stake in Nippon Paint, the world's fourth-largest paint manufacturer by revenue.
Goh also topped the Forbes’ list of Singapore’s richest for many years, and was a philanthropist who donated to causes such as cancer research, The Business Times reported.
In 1955, Goh set up his first paint shop in Singapore and became the main local distributor of Nippon Paint, according to the company's website.
Following this, in 1965, Nippon Paint set up its first paint manufacturing plant in Singapore.
In 1974, Goh founded Wuthelam Holdings, and saw it transform into a global conglomerate, BT reported.
The Wuthelam Group owns a nearly 60 per cent stake in Nippon Paint to date.
Goh also previously developed the former Liang Court and Mount Elizabeth Hospital, before selling them.
The foundation donated to initiatives like the establishment of the National Cancer Centre in Singapore and its expansion, which includes the Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre.
It also awarded grants to support children’s cancer research at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, the VIVA Foundation and the National University Hospital.
Goh is survived by three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Top image from Nippon Paint website/ Nippon Paint Singapore website
mothership.sg
He first ran a small paint shop in Singapore before becoming the main local distributor of Nippon Paint.
August 12, 2025, 12:08 PM
Singaporean billionaire Goh Cheng Liang, who was Singapore's richest man at the time of reporting, passed away on Aug. 12 morning at the age of 98.
Goh was the founder of paint and coatings maker Wuthelam Group, and held a majority stake in Nippon Paint.
A Wuthelam Group media release said that Goh “passed away this morning with family members by his side”, The Straits Times reported.
Forbes' 2025 list of global billionaires listed Goh as the 182nd richest person in the world, and the richest Singaporean.
According to Forbes, Goh had a net worth of US$13.1 billion (S$16.8 billion) as of Aug. 11.
Goh reportedly drew a bulk of his wealth from his majority stake in Nippon Paint, the world's fourth-largest paint manufacturer by revenue.
Goh also topped the Forbes’ list of Singapore’s richest for many years, and was a philanthropist who donated to causes such as cancer research, The Business Times reported.
Background
Goh grew up in a shophouse in River Valley with his parents and four siblings, according to ST.In 1955, Goh set up his first paint shop in Singapore and became the main local distributor of Nippon Paint, according to the company's website.
Following this, in 1965, Nippon Paint set up its first paint manufacturing plant in Singapore.
In 1974, Goh founded Wuthelam Holdings, and saw it transform into a global conglomerate, BT reported.
The Wuthelam Group owns a nearly 60 per cent stake in Nippon Paint to date.
Goh also previously developed the former Liang Court and Mount Elizabeth Hospital, before selling them.
Philanthropy work
In 1995, Goh set up the Goh Foundation with the help of late president Wee Kim Wee, to coordinate his philanthropic efforts.The foundation donated to initiatives like the establishment of the National Cancer Centre in Singapore and its expansion, which includes the Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre.
It also awarded grants to support children’s cancer research at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, the VIVA Foundation and the National University Hospital.
Goh is survived by three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Top image from Nippon Paint website/ Nippon Paint Singapore website
