Filipino billionaire Vivian Que-Azcona, Mercury Drug president, passes away

Vivian Que-Azcona, president of the Mercury Group of Companies and a leading figure in the Philippine healthcare industry, passed away on April 5 at the age of 69.

“With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved President. We kindly ask for your prayers for the eternal repose of her soul,” Mercury Drug Corp. announced on its Facebook page on Thursday night.

Que-Azcona trained as a pharmacist at the University of Sto Tomas (UST).

The Daily Tribute, a Manila-based publication, reported that Que-Azcona, who headed the country’s largest pharmaceutical retail chain, died earlier this month.

Billionaire family

Que-Azcona and her siblings ranked 14th among the 50 richest families in the Philippines, based on the 2024 ranking of Forbes. The magazine estimated their net worth at $1.7 billion.

Widely recognised for her visionary leadership, Que-Azcona was instrumental in transforming the nation’s healthcare landscape. She was listed among Forbes’ 50 richest Filipinos in 2024, with an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion.

Her passing has elicited an outpouring of grief and tributes from across the healthcare sector.

Honoured

Among those who honoured her legacy was the Unilab Group, a key partner of the Mercury Group for over eight decades. In a statement, Unilab conveyed its deep condolences and highlighted Que-Azcona’s enduring contributions to public health.

“Ms. Que-Azcona lived with purpose and passion, ensuring the best healthcare was accessible to Filipinos,” the company stated. “We are grateful for the longstanding partnership with the Mercury Group of Companies and for the privilege of working alongside Ms. Que-Azcona, whose integrity and commitment to Filipinos continue to inspire us.”

Mercury Drug, based in Quezon City, has avast network of over 1,200 stores nationwide. The group employs over 15,000 people, who are continuously trained on product knowledge and customer service.

Family

Her father, Filipino-Chinese tycoon Mariano Que, founder of Mercury Drug Store, died in 2017, at the age of 96.

Mariano is a legend in Philippine business, who started with a 100-peso capital, selling medicines in a pushcart in Manila in 1945, following the city’s decimation at the end of World War II.

Que-Azcona leaves behind a lasting legacy defined by a steadfast dedication to advancing healthcare in the Philippines.