VINANSIA.COM - Eka Tjipta Widjaja came from a poor family. In 1932, at the age of nine, he moved to Makassar, Sulawesi with his mother to join his father who had already relocated there. They lived in a simple house with bamboo walls and a thatched roof. His father owned a small shop, and Eka began assisting in the business from a young age.

Early Career

At seventeen, Eka started selling biscuits and sweets around Makassar. His business faced setbacks during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, but he continued by selling flour, cement, and other necessities.

Business Ventures and Setbacks

Eka experienced bankruptcy four times throughout his career but remained undeterred. His ventures included trading copra, sugar, and other goods. 

At the age of 37, Eka moved to Surabaya, where his business began to thrive. He expanded into coffee and rubber plantations in Jember. His company, initially a small enterprise, grew into Sinar Mas, encompassing finance, paper pulp, agribusiness, and real estate.

Expansion and Achievements

In 1976, Eka founded PT Tjiwi Kimia. By 1980-1981, he had acquired substantial assets, including a 10,000-hectare palm oil plantation in Riau and a tea plantation with a 20,000-ton capacity. In 1982, he bought Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII), which grew from two branches to 40 branches.

Philanthropy 

In 2006, Eka established the Eka Tjipta Foundation (ETF), a non-profit organization aimed at improving education and environmental conservation in Indonesia. The foundation allocates 80% of its budget to educational programs, including undergraduate scholarships and fellowships for advanced studies.

Wealth and Recognition

By 2018, Eka Tjipta Widjaja was ranked the second richest person in Indonesia by Globe Asia magazine, with a net worth of $13.9 billion. In March 2010, he received an award from the President of Indonesia for his philanthropic contributions.

Passed Away

Eka Tjipta Widjaja passed away on January 26, 2019, at the age of 97. His life and work have inspired many, demonstrating resilience and hard work in achieving success.