Yen, Vivian Wu

▪ 2009

      Chinese-born Taiwanese businesswoman

born December 1913, Wujin, Jiangsu province, China

died Aug. 9, 2008, Taipei, Taiwan

was the tenacious chairwoman of the Yulon Group, the largest auto manufacturer in Taiwan; she became known as the “Iron Lady” after taking the reins and successfully expanding the conglomerate following the death in 1981 of her husband, Yen Ching-ling. In the 1950s the couple founded the textile and auto companies that eventually formed the core of the conglomerate. For most of her career, Yen focused on managing the textile business, but she proved herself to be an innovative leader in the auto industry as well after the board of directors elected her to succeed her husband as chairperson. A highlight of her tenure as chairwoman came in 1986 when Yulon launched the Feeling 101, Taiwan's first domestically designed and produced motor vehicle. In 2007 Yen turned over the chairmanship to her son, Kenneth K.T. Yen.

* * *