Teresita Sy-Coson, Philippines’ Richest Woman, Lauded for Being Humble
TERESITA SY-COSON – The richest woman in the Philippines and daughter of SM Prime Holdings founder Henry Sy, Sr., received widespread praise from netizens for her humility during a recent trip.
A viral Facebook post by Jose Dalisay featured a photo of Sy-Coson waiting for her luggage at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2, like any regular passenger. Dalisay noted how remarkable it was to see one of Asia’s richest women patiently waiting for her luggage at the carousel.
He mentioned that Sy-Coson attended a board meeting in Iloilo over the weekend and, unlike other board members who presumably had assistants handling their baggage, she waited for hers at the airport.
Sy-Coson holds several key positions, including vice chairwoman of SM Investments Corporation, adviser to the Board of SM Prime Holdings, and chairwoman of BDO Unibank. Despite her wealth and influence, her humble actions resonated with many, sparking positive reactions online.
One user commented that the truly wealthy exhibit good manners, contrasting them with social climbers. Another pointed out the difference between Sy-Coson and politicians, who typically rely on bodyguards and assistants for their luggage. A former SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) employee added that the Sy siblings are known for being down-to-earth, recalling how Henry Sy Jr. would even ride crowded elevators with employees.
Meanwhile, the Sy siblings—Teresita, Elizabeth, Henry Jr., Hans, Herbert, and Harley—were named the richest in the Philippines, with a combined net worth of $13 billion as of August 7, 2024. They inherited their wealth from their late father, Henry Sy Sr., whose business began in 1958 by selling overrun shoes at a store called Shoemart. Their fortune mainly comes from stakes in SM Investments and SM Prime, two of Southeast Asia’s largest conglomerates, with interests in retail, banking, real estate, hotels, and mining.