Jack
Ma

Born Ma Yun on September 10, 1964, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, during the Cultural Revolution era; grew up in a modest family of traditional musicians and performers with an older brother and younger sister; early environment shaped resilience amid economic hardship and political upheaval.

Early childhood in Hangzhou amid ongoing Cultural Revolution (1966–1976); family faced challenges typical of the period but emphasized education and cultural values; young Ma showed curiosity and independence.

Continued family life in Hangzhou; parents encouraged learning despite limited resources; seeds of determination planted in a competitive household.

Ongoing early development; exposure to traditional Chinese arts through family background; began displaying strong personality and interest in the outside world.

Family life centered on survival and education during turbulent times; Ma later recalled strict upbringing that built character.

Attended local primary school; struggled academically early on but showed enthusiasm for stories and language.

Continued primary education; developed fascination with English through radio broadcasts and emerging tourism in Hangzhou.

Ongoing schooling; began informal English practice by interacting with foreign visitors at local sites.

Deepened interest in English; rode bicycle to Hangzhou International Hotel to converse with tourists and offer free tours.

Continued daily bike rides (up to 27 km) to practice English with foreigners; became pen pals with international correspondents.

Persistent English self-study; bought pocket radio to listen to English stations; built confidence through tourist interactions.

Ongoing English immersion as unofficial tour guide; earned nickname 'Jack' from a foreign pen pal family.

Intensified tour guiding for nine years to master English; hosted Australian family (Morleys) that influenced his worldview; transferred schools due to behavioral issues but remained focused on language skills.

Continued middle school; visited Australia for a month with Morley family, experiencing Western culture firsthand and broadening perspectives.

Ongoing education and English practice; faced academic challenges including low math scores.

Prepared for university entrance exams (gaokao); experienced multiple rejections in early job attempts.

Continued self-study and tour guiding; built resilience through repeated failures.

Failed gaokao multiple times; worked odd jobs including as a secretary and delivery worker.

First gaokao failure (math score 1 point); rejected from various entry-level jobs including police and hotel positions.

Second gaokao failure; persisted in English practice and self-improvement amid setbacks.

Third gaokao success with admission to Hangzhou Normal University (then Teachers Institute) English department due to unmet quotas despite low math score; excelled academically and became student leader.

University studies in English; elected chairman of student union; honed public speaking and leadership skills.

Continued university leadership roles; served multiple terms as Hangzhou Federation of Students chairman.

Ongoing studies; met future wife Zhang Ying during university or early career period; focused on foreign language proficiency.

Graduated with BA in English from Hangzhou Normal University; began teaching English and international trade at Hangzhou Dianzi University; applied unsuccessfully to Harvard multiple times.

Continued teaching; faced numerous job rejections (including infamous KFC application); married Zhang Ying.

Ongoing lecturing career; earned reputation as charismatic teacher; welcomed first child (son).

Taught enthusiastically; supplemented income with side ventures; family life with wife and young children.

Continued academic career; deepened interest in business opportunities.

Ongoing teaching and family growth; welcomed daughter; explored entrepreneurial ideas.

Founded first company, Haibo Translation Agency, leveraging English expertise; first encountered the Internet during a U.S. trip for government work, sparking vision for online opportunities in China.

Co-founded China Pages, one of China's first internet companies providing online yellow pages; achieved early profits and proved commercial internet viability in China.

Grew China Pages rapidly; company acquired by state telecom firm; demonstrated internet to skeptics in China.

Worked for Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation developing websites; gathered experience in e-commerce infrastructure.

Led IT company under ministry; prepared for next venture amid dot-com boom.

Resigned from government role; founded Alibaba Group in Hangzhou apartment with 17 partners and 500,000 yuan as B2B marketplace; secured early venture funding from Goldman Sachs and SoftBank.

Built Alibaba amid dot-com crash; focused on survival and profitability through customer-centric approach.

Launched Taobao consumer marketplace to compete with eBay; introduced Alipay for secure transactions.

Achieved profitability; expanded ecosystem with subsidiaries; rejected eBay acquisition offers.

Ongoing rapid growth; received investments including from Yahoo; honored as top economic figure by CCTV.

Alibaba dominated Chinese e-commerce; Ma became global business icon; began philanthropy efforts.

Selected as Young Global Leader by World Economic Forum; expanded international presence.

Continued ecosystem building with Tmall, AliExpress; focused on innovation and rural access.

Named among world's best CEOs; deepened environmental commitments through Nature Conservancy.

Alibaba transaction volume surged; Ma advocated for SME empowerment globally.

Listed in Time 100; launched major philanthropy for education and disaster relief via Jack Ma Foundation.

Joined Nature Conservancy board; earmarked revenue for environmental causes; resolved Alipay ownership issues.

Ongoing leadership; transaction volume exceeded trillion yuan milestone.

Continued expansion; received honorary doctorates; focused on cloud computing and mobile.

Stepped down as CEO but remained executive chairman; Alibaba prepared for massive IPO.

Alibaba's record $25 billion NYSE IPO; Ma became China's richest person temporarily; founded Hupan University for entrepreneurs.

Received international awards; expanded philanthropy including Nepal rebuilding and Hong Kong foundations.

Awarded French Legion of Honour; acted in films and performed publicly; partnered on digital wallets.

Ranked among greatest leaders; emphasized AI's future impact; met global politicians.

Announced plan to retire from Alibaba in 2019 to focus on education and philanthropy; denied government pressure.

Officially retired as executive chairman on September 10; received lifetime achievement awards; continued advocacy for sustainable development.

Criticized financial regulators publicly; Ant Group IPO halted; reduced public appearances amid scrutiny; donated extensively for COVID-19 relief globally.

Low profile period; reappeared via video for rural teachers initiative; resigned from Hupan University presidency.

Relocated to Tokyo, Japan; maintained distance from business spotlight amid ongoing tech sector regulations.

Appointed visiting professor at University of Tokyo focusing on sustainable agriculture; visited China occasionally including school tours; Ant Group restructured with reduced control.

Continued low-profile life and academic role; Alibaba underwent major restructuring into six entities; focused on food production research and philanthropy.

Increased public appearances in China including symposium with President Xi Jinping; commented on AI reshaping the world; maintained focus on education, rural development, and innovation while keeping relatively low profile; net worth around $27 billion amid Alibaba changes.