Sharp-dressing entrepreneur challenges gender norms, says her sole regret is not having spent more time with her sons during their childhood
Chen Ailian, known as China’s Wheel Queen with a fortune of 11 billion yuan (US$1.6 billion), has become a trending topic on mainland social media as an inspiring role model.
Four decades ago, she broke gender barriers by driving a tractor.
As her business in eastern China flourished, Chen rewarded her top employees with 100 BMW cars, according to the news outlet Sina.com.
The Zhejiang-based Wanfeng Auto Holding Group, which Chen founded, is the world’s leading producer of two specialized products: aluminum wheel hubs and magnesium alloy. It also stands as a top aircraft manufacturer, covering the entire supply chain of the general aviation industry.
Chen, 68, originally comes from Xinchang county in Zhejiang province, located in eastern China.