In the rapidly evolving world of social media, few figures have become as influential and controversial as Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok (Source : Pulsads). At just 42 years old, this Singaporean executive leads one of the most downloaded applications in history, with over a billion users worldwide. From his humble beginnings in Singapore to the corridors of the U.S. Congress, Chew’s journey is as fascinating as it is complex. As TikTok continues to navigate geopolitical tensions and redefine digital entertainment, understanding the man behind this global phenomenon has never been more relevant. Here are five essential things to know about Shou Zi Chew.
1. An Impressive Academic and Professional Journey: From Singapore to Harvard
Born on January 1, 1983, in Singapore, Shou Zi Chew grew up in a modest family. After his mandatory military service, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from University College London in 2006, then an MBA from the prestigious Harvard Business School in 2010. During this period, he completed a summer internship at Facebook, an experience that would mark the beginning of his career in tech. After Harvard, Chew worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs in London for two years, before joining DST Global, a venture capital fund where he notably invested in ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
sources: Wikipedia – Shou Zi Chew
2. From Facebook Intern to CEO of Meta’s Biggest Competitor
The irony of Shou Zi Chew’s career lies in the fact that he started in tech as an intern at Facebook in 2009, only to eventually become CEO of TikTok, one of Meta’s main competitors. After several years in finance, notably at Xiaomi where he held the position of Chief Financial Officer and oversaw the IPO in 2018, Chew joined ByteDance in March 2021 as Chief Financial Officer. A few months later, he became CEO of TikTok, replacing Kevin Mayer. Under his leadership, TikTok became the most downloaded app in the world in 2022 with over 672 million downloads, and today has more than one billion active users worldwide, including over 170 million in the United States.
sources : Fortune
3. A Fortune Estimated at $200 Million in 2025
At 42 years old, Shou Zi Chew ranks among the wealthiest tech leaders in the world with a net worth estimated at around $200 million in 2025, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This wealth reflects his role at the head of one of the most influential social media platforms, but also his strategic investments and previous positions. His fortune comes from his career at Goldman Sachs, DST Global where he invested in ByteDance, and his role as Chief Financial Officer at Xiaomi. Under his leadership, TikTok has significantly expanded its business model with the launch of TikTok Shop, solidifying his personal financial position and that of the company in the global market.
source : CEO Today Magazine
4. A Discreet Family Life with His Wife Vivian Kao and Their Three Children
Behind the media executive lies a family man attached to his privacy. Shou Zi Chew is married to Vivian Kao, a Taiwanese-American businesswoman who graduated from Wellesley College and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. The two met in 2008 at Harvard, and spent their first summer together in California in 2009, where Vivian worked for Better Place, a clean energy startup, while Shou completed his internship at Facebook. The couple has three children together, including two aged eight and six in March 2023, and a third born in November 2023. The family primarily resides in Singapore, although Chew also owns properties in Beijing and London. Interestingly, Chew revealed during a Congressional hearing that his first two children are not allowed to use TikTok because the app requires users to be at least 13 years old. The couple made a rare appearance at the prestigious Met Gala in May 2024, where Shou Zi Chew was named honorary chairman of the event.
sources : Jeffreylevinson
5. At the Heart of Geopolitical Tensions Between the United States and China
Since his appointment in 2021, Shou Zi Chew has been at the center of an intense geopolitical battle between the United States and China regarding TikTok. In March 2023, he testified before the U.S. Congress in a five-hour hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he was questioned about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government. Republican Senator Tom Cotton repeatedly questioned him about his citizenship and ties to the Chinese Communist Party, which led Chew to clarify that he is Singaporean, not Chinese, a moment that went viral. Facing the threat of a ban, Chew implemented several initiatives: storing American user data on Oracle servers in the United States and creating a new corporate entity. In January 2025, he attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration, and Trump subsequently granted a 75-day delay to postpone the TikTok ban. Chew publicly thanked Trump for his efforts, demonstrating his diplomatic strategy in this complex political landscape.
source : Bloomberg video on TikTok
Shou Zi Chew embodies the modern tech leader: brilliant, strategic, and constantly navigating the complex intersection of technology, business, and geopolitics. From his days as a Facebook intern to leading one of the world’s most influential platforms, his journey reflects both remarkable personal achievement and the broader challenges facing global tech companies today. As TikTok continues to face scrutiny and uncertainty in various markets, particularly in the United States, Chew’s leadership, diplomatic skills, and deep understanding of both Eastern and Western business cultures will be crucial in shaping the platform’s future. Whether TikTok survives the political storms or not, Shou Zi Chew has already cemented his place as one of the most significant figures in the social media revolution of the 21st century.
