Zhong Shanshan
Zhong Shanshan | |
|---|---|
| File:Zhong Shanshan.jpg | |
| Born | 钟睒睒 1956 (age 67–68)[1] |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder, Nongfu Spring Owner, Wantai |
Zhong Shanshan (Chinese: 钟睒睒, born 1956) is a Chinese billionaire businessman, who founded and chairs Nongfu Spring,[3] the largest beverage company in China. He is also the owner of the Chinese pharma giant 'Wantai'. He is the richest person in China and in December 2020, he became Asia's richest man, topping India's Mukesh Ambani.[4][5] In January 2021 he overcame Warren Buffett to become the world's 6th richest man.[6]
Early life
Zhong dropped out of school during the sixth grade, at age 12, during the chaos of the Chinese cultural revolution, as his parents were persecuted by authorities, along with many other civilians. He later worked in several jobs, including construction worker, news reporter and beverage salesman, before starting his own company.
Career
In September 1996, he founded Nongfu Spring, a producer of bottled water, which grew steadily along the years to be China's top beverage company. The Hong Kong listed firm went public last September, raising nearly $1.1 billion in its initial public offering. According to its offering prospectus, Zhong owns a massive 84.4% of the company with his wife’s relatives own an additional 6.2% combined.[7]
He is also the chairman and owns a controlling stake of the pharma giant Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Co. Ltd., also known as Wantai. The company was listed in China in April.
Zhong has often referred to by Chinese media as a "lone wolf" for his rare public appearances and reluctance to be interviewed. [8]
References
- ^ "Bricklayer To Billionaire: China's Second-Richest and Asia's 1st richest Man Rose From Rags To Extreme Riches—But Will It Last?". Forbes. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ^ "Zhong Shanshan". Forbes.
- ^ "Zhong Shanshan on Bloomberg". Bloomberg. Sep 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ Business, Michelle Toh, CNN. "China has a new richest man". CNN.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Zhong Shanshan overtakes Mukesh Ambani to become Asia's richest person". The Times of India. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- ^ Bloomberg (6 January 2021). "Zhong Shanshan net worth: China's bottled water king is now richer than Warren Buffett | International Business News". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- ^ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferwang/2021/01/05/chinas-bottled-water-mogul-gains-5-billion-in-one-day-becomes-worlds-sixth-richest-person/?sh=7872f8b6792d
- ^ https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/bottled-water-billionaire-unseats-jack-ma-as-china-s-richest-man-1.5118157?cache=zyujtxhn%3FcontactForm%3Dtrue%3FclipId%3D263414