Sharp-dressing entrepreneur defies gender stereotypes, says only regret in life is not spending enough time with her sons when they were young
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenAlice Yanin ShanghaiPublished: 6:00pm, 15 Jun 2026Updated: 6:05pm, 15 Jun 2026Chen Ailian, who has been dubbed as China’s Wheel Queen with a net worth of 11 billion yuan (US$1.6 billion), has trended on mainland social media as an encouraging role model.
Four decades ago, she defied gender stereotypes by driving a tractor.
As her enterprise in the east of the country grew into a success, Chen rewarded her key employees with 100 BMW cars, the news portal Sina.com reported.
The Zhejiang-based Wanfeng Auto Holding Group, founded by Chen, is the global No 1 manufacturer of two niche products: aluminium wheel hubs and magnesium alloy. It is also the leading aircraft maker and covers the general aviation industry’s whole supply chain.
Chen, 68, hails from Xinchang county of Zhejiang province, in eastern China.
