Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, is at the center of discussions about one of the most talked-about tech platforms. Born and raised in Singapore, Chew has a background in finance and tech leadership, offering a mix of skills and knowledge as TikTok faces big challenges on the global stage.
Chew studied economics at University College London and later completed his MBA at Harvard Business School, where he also interned at Facebook in his first year. He started his career at Goldman Sachs in investment banking before moving to DST Global, where he worked on major investments, including one in ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company.
Chew later became the chief financial officer at Xiaomi, a Chinese electronics company known for its affordable smartphones. While at Xiaomi, the company expanded internationally and went public in 2018. His experience managing fast-growing companies made him well-suited for leadership at TikTok.
As of 2025, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Chew’s net worth at $200 million. This reflects his career path, from his time at Xiaomi to his current role at TikTok. Chew is private about his personal life, but it is known that he is married with children and keeps his family life away from the public eye, focusing on his work and business strategies.
Shou Zi Chew And How TikTok Is Managing The Pressure
Chew joined TikTok in March 2021 as the CFO and became CEO just a few months later, taking on a role full of challenges. While TikTok is hugely popular with over a billion active users worldwide, it faces ongoing concerns about data privacy and national security, especially in the U.S. Lawmakers have raised questions about TikTok’s connections to China, and there is constant talk of a potential ban in the U.S., which puts the platform’s future at risk.
What does TikTok’s “sigma” mean? ExplainedChew has taken steps to address these concerns, including plans to store U.S. user data within the country and improve transparency. Despite these actions, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain.
TikTok’s Status Amid Ban Threats
TikTok has a significant influence globally, but its future in places like the U.S. is under intense scrutiny. Even though President Trump ordered a 75-day delay in activating a ban, giving TikTok more time to negotiate a sale, there are bipartisan concerns in the U.S. about national security. These concerns have led to calls for stricter regulations or a full ban, but Chew has been working hard to ease these worries by focusing on TikTok’s economic benefits and its impact on global culture.
Chew’s leadership is crucial as TikTok deals with regulatory challenges. His role involves handling complex global issues while ensuring TikTok remains a key player in the tech industry.