R obert Budi Hartono, along with his brother Michael Hartono, is the owner of the Djarum Group, a massive Indonesian conglomerate, and is consistently ranked as one of the richest individuals in Indonesia. The brothers inherited the business from their father, Oei Wie Gwan, who founded the company as a small kretek (clove cigarette) manufacturer in the 1950s. After their father's death and a devastating factory fire, the Hartono brothers took control and rebuilt the company, transforming it into one of Indonesia's largest cigarette producers.
While Djarum remains the core of their wealth, the brothers have astutely diversified their business interests. Their most significant investment is a majority stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA), Indonesia's largest private bank, which they acquired during the Asian Financial Crisis. This investment has proven to be incredibly lucrative, forming a substantial portion of their fortune. Their conglomerate also has significant holdings in telecommunications, with a major stake in the operator Sarana Menara Nusantara, as well as interests in electronics, palm oil plantations, and prime real estate in Jakarta. Budi is also a passionate bridge player and has represented Indonesia in international competitions.
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Robert Budi Hartono (Oei Hwie Tjhong) is an Indonesian businessman, the billionaire Patriarch and Co-owner of the Djarum Group, a massive conglomerate spanning tobacco (Djarum cigarettes), banking (Bank Central Asia - BCA), and telecommunications. His wealth is generational, tied to the empire founded by his late father, Oei Wie Gwan (d. 1963), in 1951.
Hartono's career is defined by generational stewardship and executive leadership in the tobacco, finance, and industrial sectors. His structural role is tied to managing the family's assets across diverse sectors, focusing on long-term stability and financial governance (via BCA). He and his older brother, Michael Hartono, are consistently ranked as the richest people in Indonesia.
R. Budi Hartono's strategic leadership transformed Djarum into a global giant. He and his brother, Michael Hartono, assumed control after their father's death, successfully diversifying the company beyond tobacco. Their structural contribution is immense: orchestrating the strategic acquisition of a controlling stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA) during the Asian Financial Crisis (1997–1998), which became the largest and most valuable private bank in Indonesia.
His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the tobacco, banking, and financial services sectors.
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His father, Oei Wie Gwan, passes away; Budi and Michael assume control of Djarum (Succession).
Acquires a controlling stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA) during the Asian Financial Crisis (Strategic Acquisition/Apex).
Continues as Patriarch and Co-owner, guiding the banking and industrial empire (Executive Oversight).
R. Budi Hartono's wealth is concentrated in his family's controlling stake and executive leadership of Djarum Group and Bank Central Asia (BCA).
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R. Budi Hartono's social impact is structural, stemming from Djarum Group's role as a massive employer and foundational provider of essential banking and consumer goods in Indonesia. His commitment to education and sports (supporting PB Djarum badminton club and various educational scholarships) provides a major structural contribution to national development. His wealth is a barometer of the success of the modern Indonesian economy.
His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.
R. Budi Hartono maintains the professional, composed style of a corporate executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored business suits or traditional Indonesian attire. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, typical of a patriarch in the Asian chaebol-like system.
Residing in Jakarta, Indonesia, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to corporate governance, investment strategy, and industrial scale.
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+0.21% | +$13.14M
-0.34% | -$6.10M
This profile is compiled from verified biographical and financial records:
All information is cross-referenced with public sources for accuracy; some narrative sections are AI-assisted summaries.
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