Im Se-ryung Net Worth, Samsung Ex-Husband, Personal Life, and Controversies

Im Se-ryung Net Worth, Samsung Ex-Husband, Personal Life, and Controversies

Im Se-ryung is a prominent South Korean businesswoman and a well-known figure in chaebol (family-run conglomerate) circles. She serves as Vice Chairwoman of Daesang as well as Vice Chairwoman of Daesang Holdings, and she is often noted for her high-profile marriage and eventual divorce from Samsung Group Chairman Lee Jae-yong. Below is a comprehensive look at her background, family ties, and public image.

1. Early Life and Background

• Name: Im Se-ryung
• Date of Birth: August 13, 1977 (Age 47)
• Birthplace & Residence: Born and currently residing in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul
• Family Lineage:
  • Grandfather: Im Dae-hong
  • Father: Im Chang-wook, Chairman of Daesang Group
  • Mother: Park Hyun-joo
  • Younger sister: Im Sang-min
• Education:
  • Attended Yonsei University (Business Administration major) before withdrawing in her sophomore year
  • Graduated from New York University (B.A. in Psychology)

Im Se-ryung was born into a powerful business family. Her maternal side is also linked to the “Beom-Geumho” family, making her a third-generation chaebol heiress on both sides.

2. Role at Daesang and Net Worth

As Vice Chairwoman of both Daesang and Daesang Holdings, Im Se-ryung oversees significant strategic decisions within one of Korea’s major food and consumer goods conglomerates. While her exact net worth remains confidential, it is widely assumed to be substantial, given her family’s holdings and her prior connections to Samsung. Rumors have circulated about sizable settlements from her divorce, but no official figures have ever been confirmed.

3. Marriage and Divorce from Lee Jae-yong (Samsung)

1. Marriage Background:
   • Im Se-ryung met Lee Jae-yong (now Chairman of Samsung Group) in 1997.
   • Their marriage occurred in 1998 when she was just 21, with a notable nine-year age gap.
   • At the time, many speculated that Samsung found Im Se-ryung to be an ideal match, expediting the wedding.
2. Life Abroad & Studies:
   • After marriage, she left Yonsei University and accompanied Lee Jae-yong during his studies at Harvard Graduate School.
   • She later completed her own undergraduate degree at NYU, all while focusing on family life.
3. Divorce (2009):
   • They divorced after 11 years of marriage.
   • Rumors persist that Lee Jae-yong may have paid around 1,000 billion KRW in alimony or property division, but no party has ever confirmed these details.
   • The legal proceedings were settled privately and swiftly; even the court was not fully privy to the arrangement.
   • It is believed that any large financial settlement would have been through property division rather than a straight “alimony” payment.
4. Post-Divorce Family Dynamics:
   • Im Se-ryung and Lee Jae-yong have two children: a son (Lee Ji-ho) and a daughter (Lee Won-ju).
   • Although divorced, she reportedly maintained a cordial relationship with her former mother-in-law (Hong Ra-hee).
   • Her ex-father-in-law, the late Lee Kun-hee, was said to have a positive regard for her, to the extent he once tried to dissuade them from divorcing.

4. Personal Life and Public Image

1. Relationship with Actor Lee Jung-jae
   • In 2015, paparazzi photos confirmed rumors of Im Se-ryung dating actor Lee Jung-jae.
   • Since then, they have been spotted on overseas trips, including a well-publicized outing in Hong Kong with Lee’s close friend Jung Woo-sung in 2019.
   • In January 2025, paparazzi captured images of Im Se-ryung and Lee Jung-jae vacationing in St. Barts, demonstrating their long-term, stable relationship.
2. High-Profile Social Circle
   • She has been seen at private gatherings with major Korean entertainment figures such as CJ Vice Chairwoman Lee Mi-kyung, actor Lee Byung-hun, and actor Kang Dong-won.
   • These associations highlight her cross-industry influence in both the business realm and showbiz circles.
3. Fashion Sense and Public Persona
   • Im Se-ryung is widely admired for her sophisticated style, with various media outlets praising her elegant fashion choices.
   • Despite heavy public scrutiny, she generally keeps a low profile and does not actively engage with the media regarding her personal affairs.

5. Controversies and Rumors

• Speculation about Divorce Settlement:
  While the popular rumor cites “1,000 billion KRW” for alimony or asset division, there has never been an official statement. Many experts suggest this figure is an overestimation based on gossip rather than verifiable fact.
• Public Perception as “Lee Jae-yong’s Ex-Wife”:
  Im Se-ryung has expressed discomfort at being constantly referenced in connection to Samsung’s Lee Jae-yong, preferring to be recognized for her personal achievements and her family’s own business legacy.

Conclusion

Im Se-ryung embodies the complexities of a third-generation chaebol heiress: she carries the weight of significant family heritage, a high-profile marriage and divorce to Samsung’s Lee Jae-yong, and her own substantial role at Daesang. Despite living much of her life under intense public scrutiny, she continues to build her professional reputation in the corporate world and maintain her personal autonomy. Her ongoing relationship with actor Lee Jung-jae, combined with her prominent social network, keeps her firmly in the spotlight of Korean media—but she remains notably private about her day-to-day life, preserving a balance between high-level corporate responsibilities and personal discretion.