Ma Yun (more commonly known as Jack Ma) is a Chinese businessman and philanthropist, the self-made billionaire founder and former Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group and Ant Group (Fintech). Born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, in 1964, his early life was marked by perseverance through numerous rejections—he was famously rejected by Harvard ten times and failed his college entrance exam twice.

Ma graduated with a B.A. from Hangzhou Normal University (1988) and worked as an English teacher until 1993. His entrepreneurial vision was rooted in the Internet: recognizing the potential of connecting Chinese small businesses to the world. His personal philosophy emphasizes Taoist principles, philanthropy, and the power of perseverance against overwhelming odds.

• Alibaba Group (Founder & Former Executive Chairman): The core wealth generator, a global leader in e-commerce, retail, and technology.
• Ant Group / Alipay: The fintech affiliate that runs Alipay (one of the world's largest payment platforms).
• Early Struggles: He was rejected by Harvard ten times and worked as an English teacher before founding Alibaba.
• Current Focus: Since stepping down from Alibaba in 2019, his primary focus has been on philanthropy, education, and rural revitalization.

Jack Ma co-founded Alibaba Group in 1999 with a group of friends, initially launching Taobao Marketplace (B2C) and the digital payment platform Alipay (2004). His strategic genius was building a platform that enabled millions of Chinese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access the domestic and global e-commerce market. Alibaba executed its massive U.S. IPO in 2014 (the largest IPO in history at the time).

Ma stepped down as Executive Chairman in 2019 to focus on philanthropy. His career is heavily marked by the subsequent Chinese tech crackdown: his Ant Group's planned $37 billion IPO was blocked by Chinese regulators in late 2020. Since then, Ma has adopted an extremely low profile, but he has committed to giving away a significant portion of his wealth through the Jack Ma Foundation, focusing intensely on rural education. His wealth is secured by his retained stakes in Alibaba and Ant Group.

Jack Ma is a major global philanthropist. His structural social impact is tied to Alibaba's role in driving e-commerce and entrepreneurship across China, lifting millions of small businesses out of poverty. His Jack Ma Foundation is a massive structural contributor to education, rural development, and healthcare (notably donating medical supplies globally during the COVID-19 pandemic).

His structural contribution is tied to his belief in Taoist principles and his commitment to using business success to drive social good.

Jack Ma maintains a unique, charismatic, and often casual style, favoring simple sweaters and dark shirts, reflecting his focus on simplicity and philosophy rather than luxury. His aesthetic is one of visionary, unconventional authority.

Residing in Hangzhou, China, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to technology governance, education philanthropy, and rural revitalization.