Kathmandu-Binod Chaudhary, a prominent figure in Nepal’s private sector, has once again been included in the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals.

According to the 2026 global billionaires ranking released by the American business magazine Forbes, Chaudhary holds the 1,982nd position.

Forbes estimates his net worth at 2.1 billion US dollars, which is approximately equivalent to 302 billion Nepali rupees.

In the 2025 ranking, Chaudhary ranked 1,763rd, with a net worth of around 2 billion dollars. Over the past year, his fortune has grown by approximately 100 million dollars.

Within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Chaudhary remains the sole billionaire outside India to be featured on the Forbes list.

In 2019, he had reached the 1,349th position. However, his wealth declined in the subsequent years due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Recent business expansions and investments have helped him rebuild his fortune.

The Forbes ranking places American entrepreneur Elon Musk at the top, with an estimated net worth of about 839 billion dollars. American technology entrepreneur Larry Page ranks second. The list is predominantly dominated by billionaires from the United States, China, and India.

Chaudhary serves as the chairman of Chaudhary Group, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Nepal. The group operates across various sectors, including food production, banking, hotels, real estate, energy, telecommunications, and consumer goods.

The Wai Wai noodles brand under Chaudhary Group has become one of Nepal’s most renowned exports, sold in markets across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

In addition to his business endeavors, Chaudhary has also contributed to the political landscape of Nepal. He previously served as a member of Nepal’s House of Representatives, representing the Nepali Congress party.