We’ve all heard the stories of the world’s richest business owners and business moguls, however what if we shifted the spotlight to the most recent type of success story? Influencers.
Specifically, Malaysia’s wealthiest influencers.
They’re individuals who started by just developing content online– before turning them into million-dollar empires.
Malaysia’s richest influencers are showing that going viral can be just as effective as constructing tech business.
Their stories are very important to understand. Today, more students are checking out content production as a side hustle– or even as a full-fledged dream profession.
But the important things is, how do you make it big online? What particular skills do you need? Can you discover them all yourself or do you still require a standard university degree?
TL; DR In the case of much of Malaysia’s top-earning influencers, it appears that a university degree is still necessary.
Here’s where and what they studied before making their millions.
The education of Malaysia’s 8 richest influencers
Khairul Aming A years ago, Malaysians made millions by climbing up the corporate ladder and becoming directors and CEOs. Khairul Aming did it by selling Dendeng Nyet Berapi and Sambal Nyet. He supposedly generated RM42 million (US$ 10.5 million) in sales from his food products in 2024, making him among the wealthiest influencers in Malaysia.
However before he made his riches, Aiming transferred to the US to pursue medical engineering at Vanderbilt University, ranked # 17 in National Universities.
It was then that he fell for filmmaking. He even won top place for “International Travel Video Content” and became the president of Vanderbilt’s Malaysian student association.
Ms Qiwiie (Shi Qi)
Ms Qiwiie, also referred to as Ting Shi Qi, is one of Malaysia’s wealthiest influencers, making around RM12,300 to RM16,800 (US$ 3,097 to US$ 4,244) on YouTube videos per month (omitting brand name offers).
And that’s simply YouTube.
Multiply that by posts for today’s most significant brands, from UNIQLO to SK-II, Chagee, Kate Spade, and Check Out UAE in the last six months alone– and the maths informs us she is already a multi-millionaire even before turning 30 years old.
Before making bank, Shi Qi went to Lodge International School, a secondary school in Kuching, Malaysia, where she scored 8A * and 1A in her Cambridge IGCSE exams.
She then pursued a Bachelor of Science in Education (Elementary) at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Alieff Irfan Alieff Irfan calls himself” A regular Malaysian YouTuber”, but his net worth says the opposite. It is supposedly approximated around US$ 7.15 million and goes up to US$$10.01 million due to his numerous earnings sources.
He was studying for a Diploma in Administrative Science and Public Administration Policy Studies at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Machang, Kelantan, however later dropped out to be a full-time YoTuber.
Chryseis Tan
Born into among Malaysia’s greatest conglomerates, Chryseis Tan is among the wealthiest influencers. While there’s no details on her net worth, her dad is worth RM3 billion (US$ 770 million).
Before joining her daddy’s company as Executive Director and founding a beauty brand, Tan pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal International Researches from Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan.
Neelofa
Neelofa, also referred to as Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor, is a Malaysian starlet, business owner, and one of Malaysia’s wealthiest influencers. She makes around RM86,900 to RM119,000 K (US$ 21,777 to US$ 29,835) a month just on Instagram, according to influencer marketing platform HypeAuditor.
She studied A Levels at KDU University College from 2007 to 2009. Neelofa’s dream was to pursue her undergraduate degree in the US, but her parents protested it.
She ended up making a Bachelor of International Company and Marketing at Sunway University.
In 2014, she took acting classes at the New york city Movie Academy.
Rebekah Yeoh
While she doesn’t precisely work as an influencer, Rebekah Yeoh has about 27,000 followers on Instagram– making her a “micro-influencer.” In any case, she is among the wealthiest influencers in Malaysia.
Born into the wealthiest household in Malaysia (worth RM8.8 billion, or US$ 2.1 billion, in 2017), Yeoh sought independence, so she required herself to emigrate.
She pursued a degree in Pure Economics at the London School of Economics and Government (LSE) in the UK, ranked # 6 on QS World University Rankings for Economics.
Kim Amal Raymond
Kim Amal Raymond is among Malaysia’s richest influencers. While her earnings is undisclosed, she’s the daughter of Malaysian tycoon Dato’ Sri Jeffery Raymond.
Raymond pursued her education locally at Limkokwing University, where she studied fashion design. She later on participated in Raffles College to pursue marketing and management, adopting a 360-degree method to upskill herself.
Christinna Kuan
Christinna Kuan, likewise known as MsKuan, is a fashion, lifestyle, and charm blog writer. She also founded the style brand name Christinna.K, the influencer agency UFCO Global, and the jewellery brand rR.byRAFFLESIA.
HypeAuditor approximated that Kuan earns RM85,800 to RM117,500 (US$ 21,480 to US$ 29,440) a month.
Before earning her riches, Kuan completed two diplomas, Haute couture and Creative Multimedia Design, from KDU Penang University (now called UOW Malaysia).
Jestinna Kuan
Jestinna Kuan, Christinna Kuan’s sis, is likewise one of Malaysia’s wealthiest influencers, with revenues approximated at around RM120,300 to RM163,100 (US$ 30,127 to US$ 40,836) last month.
Before establishing a family pet supplement brand and co-running UFCO Global, Kuan completed a five-year Bachelor of Pharmacy program at AIMST University (Asian Institute of Medicine, Science, and Innovation University).