Chang Kuo-wei

Chang Kuo-wei is a Taiwanese billionaire businessman and aviator who founded and chairs Starlux Airlines. Born September 6, 1970, he is the youngest son of Chang Yung-fa, the founder of the Evergreen Group. Chang holds commercial pilot ratings for the Boeing 777 and various Airbus models, plus a professional aircraft maintenance license, a rare combination that shapes his hands-on leadership style.

After a bitter family succession dispute, Chang launched Starlux in 2017 to compete directly with his family's former airline, EVA Air. The carrier has grown into a serious premium player in Asia, known for its modern fleet and design collaborations. In August 2026, Taiwan's Supreme Court ruled Chang the sole inheritor of his father's NT$14 billion fortune, a decision that reignited legal battles over the Evergreen estate.

Chang frequently pilots Starlux's delivery flights himself, including the airline's first Airbus A350-1000 in January 2026. He owns a 64% stake in Starlux with his two sons, which alone makes him a billionaire. [edit]

Chang Kuo-wei grew up in Taiwan as the youngest son of Chang Yung-fa, who built the Evergreen Group into a global shipping and aviation empire. From an early age, he was exposed to the logistics and transport world, but his own passion was flight itself. He pursued commercial pilot ratings for the Boeing 777 and various Airbus models, and also earned a professional aircraft maintenance license, giving him a rare dual expertise in flying and engineering.

His early career was inside the family business. In 2013, he became chairman of EVA Air, the flagship airline of the Evergreen Group. During his tenure, he pushed for fleet modernization and premium service improvements, but the role was cut short when his father died in January 2016. A fierce succession dispute erupted among Chang's siblings over control of the Evergreen Group. Chang was ousted from the family business that same year, a public and bitter break that set the stage for his next move.

Rather than fight to reclaim his old seat, Chang decided to build something of his own. In 2017, he founded Starlux Airlines with a clear mission: to create a premium travel experience that could compete with EVA Air and other Asian carriers. He brought his piloting skills and operational knowledge directly into the new venture, setting the tone for a hands-on leadership style that would define the company. [edit]

Starlux Airlines took to the skies in January 2020, and Chang Kuo-wei has been its driving force ever since. He personally piloted the airline's first Airbus A350-1000 delivery flight to Taiwan on January 6, 2026, marking a major fleet milestone. In March 2026, he again flew a brand-new A350 on its delivery route, and earlier he had piloted the distinctive 'Silver Sorayama' art plane back to Taiwan after its handover in France.

The airline has gained attention for its premium cabins and design partnerships. In January 2026, Starlux unveiled gold and silver livery designs for two A350s created with Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama, a collaboration that made headlines across the aviation world. Chang also piloted Starlux's inaugural flight to Prague, expanding the carrier's European network.

Beyond operations, Chang's business acumen has been validated by the courts. In August 2026, the Supreme Court ruled him the sole inheritor of his father's NT$14 billion fortune, a decision that a charitable foundation tied to his late father has since challenged with a new lawsuit. Chang holds a 64% stake in Starlux with his two sons, a holding that alone makes him a billionaire. [edit]

Chang Kuo-wei is often portrayed as a passionate aviator who leads from the cockpit. Media coverage highlights his habit of personally piloting delivery flights, a practice that sets him apart from most airline chairmen. He is also seen as a shrewd businessman who turned a family setback into a successful independent airline. His collaboration with artist Hajime Sorayama on the A350 liveries boosted Starlux's image as a stylish, forward-thinking carrier. Fans and industry observers admire his hands-on approach and his willingness to challenge the established order. On social media, he shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of flights and aircraft, giving followers a rare look at the life of an airline boss who still loves to fly. [edit]

Chang Kuo-wei's fanbase is a diffuse but passionate constellation of aviation enthusiasts, Taiwanese business watchers, and admirers of his comeback narrative. They have no formal name, no 'Starlighters' or 'KWC Army', but they gather organically around every milestone Starlux Airlines hits. When Chang personally pilots a delivery flight or inaugurates a new route, the online buzz is immediate and fervent. The January 2026 unveiling of Hajime Sorayama's gold and silver A350 liveries sent the aviation community into a sharing frenzy; the silver art plane's delivery flight from France, captained by Chang himself, became a moment of near-cultish celebration. Fans document these events with the reverence of archivists, posting photos, tracking flight paths, and trading commentary across forums and social media. There are no organized campaigns, no birthday billboards, no charity drives, but the enthusiasm is real, and it translates into positive publicity for Starlux that money can't buy.

Chang's interaction with his audience is indirect but deeply felt. By climbing into the cockpit for the airline's maiden voyage in January 2020 and continuing that practice for subsequent deliveries and inaugurals, he offers a tangible, human connection that most billionaires never achieve. Aviation enthusiasts see him as one of their own, a pilot first, a chairman second. This hands-on persona, combined with his underdog story, has made him a beloved figure in Taiwanese business culture.

Despite this devoted following, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Chang Kuo-wei but does not currently place him in any published ranking, neither the Global Top 1,000 nor a Top-100 scope list. His fame is significant within niche communities, but it has not yet translated into a measurable global ranking.[edit]

Chang Kuo-wei's Instagram handle is @starluxkwc, where he posts aviation and lifestyle content. He holds a professional aircraft maintenance license in addition to his pilot ratings, a rare combination that lets him troubleshoot issues mid-flight if needed. His nickname among Starlux staff is reportedly 'Captain Chairman' for his habit of flying the airline's planes on delivery and inaugural routes. In 2026, he piloted the 'Silver Sorayama' art plane, a specially painted A350, back to Taiwan from France, a journey that took over 12 hours. Chang is also known to personally inspect new aircraft before they enter service, walking the cabin and testing seats. He once said that flying is his way of staying connected to the company's core product.

A story fans still retell is the family succession war, the bitter battle after his father's death that saw him ousted from EVA Air in a dramatic boardroom coup. That setback led directly to the founding of Starlux, turning the disinherited son into a symbol of resilience. Another legendary moment came in January 2026, when Starlux unveiled the Sorayama liveries; the gold and silver A350s became instant icons, and the silver plane's delivery flight, piloted by Chang, was followed by enthusiasts worldwide. These moments, along with his practice of personally captaining inaugural flights, from the maiden voyage in January 2020 to the first Prague flight in August 2026, form the core of his legend.[edit]

Chang Kuo-wei is the youngest son of Chang Yung-fa, the founder of the Evergreen Group, who passed away in January 2016. He has two sons, Sheng-Hung and Sheng-Wei, who co-own a 64% stake in Starlux Airlines with him. The family has been at the center of a long-running inheritance dispute, with Chang's siblings contesting their father's will. In August 2026, the Supreme Court ruled Chang the sole inheritor of the NT$14 billion fortune, but a charitable foundation tied to his father has since filed a new lawsuit over the Evergreen estate. Chang keeps his personal life private, rarely sharing details about his sons or his own residence. [edit]

Chang Kuo-wei is associated with his father Chang Yung-fa, founder of the Evergreen Group; his sons Sheng-Hung and Sheng-Wei; and Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama, who collaborated with Starlux on aircraft liveries. He is also linked to the Evergreen Group and EVA Air through his family history. [edit]

Chang Kuo-wei keeps his romantic life out of the public eye. There are no confirmed reports of a spouse or long-term partner in the available research. He is a father to two sons, Sheng-Hung and Sheng-Wei, but has not publicly discussed their mother or his marital status. As of 2026, his relationship status is unknown. [edit]

iFANN's editorial analysis currently estimates Chang Kuo-wei's net worth at $1.2 billion, anchored by his 64% ownership stake in Starlux Airlines, which he co-owns with his two sons. The airline's valuation has climbed steadily since its 2020 launch, buoyed by an expanding fleet of Airbus A350s and new routes to Europe. In August 2026, Taiwan's Supreme Court ruled Chang the sole inheritor of his father's fortune, valued at NT$14 billion (approximately $430 million), adding to his personal wealth, though a charitable foundation has filed a new lawsuit contesting the estate, which could affect the final distribution. Chang also earns a salary as chairman of Starlux and income from speaking engagements and consulting in the aviation industry. He has not disclosed significant real estate or other investments, but his stake in the airline remains the cornerstone of his fortune.[edit]