Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, is at the center of one of the most debated tech platforms in the world. Born and raised in Singapore, Chew’s career spans finance and tech leadership, bringing a mix of expertise and experience to the table as TikTok faces significant global challenges.

From Singapore to Global Business

According to Business Insider, Chew earned a degree in economics from University College London and later completed his MBA at Harvard Business School — he also interned at Facebook his first year at Harvard. He began his career at Goldman Sachs in investment banking before transitioning to DST Global, where he worked on major investments, including one in ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company.

Chew later served as chief financial officer of Xiaomi, a Chinese electronics company known for its affordable smartphone devices. During his tenure, Xiaomi expanded its global footprint and went public in 2018. His experience in managing high-growth companies positioned him for leadership at TikTok.

According to data from Celebrity Net Worth, Chew’s net worth is estimated at $200 million as of 2025. This figure reflects his career trajectory, from his time at Xiaomi to his current leadership at TikTok. Although Chew keeps his personal life private and maintains a low profile outside of work, he is married with children and values family privacy, focusing on his work and tech strategies.

Shou Zi Chew And How TikTok Is Managing The Pressure

Based on Business Insider’s report, Chew joined TikTok’s leadership team as CFO in March 2021. When he became its CEO a few months later, he was stepping into a role fraught with challenges. While the platform enjoys immense popularity, with over a billion active users worldwide, it faces ongoing scrutiny over data privacy and national security concerns, particularly in the United States. Lawmakers have raised questions about TikTok’s ties to China, and the possibility of a U.S. ban has put the platform’s future in question.

Chew has spearheaded efforts to address these issues, including initiatives to store U.S. user data domestically and improve transparency. Despite these efforts, TikTok’s long-term position in the U.S. market remains uncertain.

TikTok’s Status Amid Ban Threats

TikTok’s global influence is undeniable, but its future in markets like the U.S. is under intense debate, even as President Trump has ordered a 75-day delay in activating the ban, buying the company more time to seek a sale. Bipartisan concerns in the U.S. over national security have led to calls for stricter regulations or an outright ban, though Chew has been actively working to mitigate these concerns, highlighting TikTok’s economic contributions and its role in global culture.

His leadership comes at a pivotal moment for TikTok. As the platform grapples with regulatory challenges, Chew’s role is to navigate complex global issues while ensuring TikTok remains a dominant player in the tech world.