the biography of jack ma

The Inspiring Life Story Of Alibaba Founder Jack Ma, Now The Richest Man In China

Fresh off the biggest IPO in history, Alibaba founder and chairman Jack Ma is now the richest person in China .

Ma is now worth an estimated $25 billion , which includes his 7.8% stake in Alibaba and a nearly 50% stake in payment processing service Alipay.

Ma is a true rags-to-riches story. He grew up poor in communist China, failed his college entrance exam twice, and was rejected from dozens of jobs, including one at KFC, before finding success with his third internet company, Alibaba. 

Jack Ma (a.k.a. Ma Yun) was born on October 15, 1964, in Hangzhou, located in the southeastern part of China. He has an older brother and a younger sister. He and his siblings grew up at a time when communist China was increasingly isolated from the West, and his family didn't have much money when they were young.

 Source: 60 Minutes , USA Today

Ma was scrawny and often got into fights with classmates. "I was never afraid of opponents who were bigger than I," he recalls in "Alibaba," a book by Liu Shiying and Martha Avery. Still, Ma had hobbies just like any other kid. He liked collecting crickets and making them fight, and was able to distinguish the size and type of cricket just by the sound it made.

Source: USA Today , Business Insider

After then-US president Richard Nixon visited Hangzhou in 1972, Ma's hometown became a tourist mecca. As a teenager, Ma started waking up early to visit the city's main hotel, offering visitors tours of the city in exchange for English lessons. The nickname "Jack" was given to him by a tourist he befriended.

Source: 60 Minutes

Without money or connections, the only way Ma could get ahead was through education. After high school, he applied to go to college — but failed the entrance exam twice. After a great deal of studying, he finally passed on the third try, going on to attend Hangzhou Teacher's Institute. He graduated in 1988 and started applying to as many jobs as he could.

He received more than a dozen rejections — including from KFC — before being hired as an English teacher. Ma was a natural with his students and loved his job — though he made only $12 a month at a local university.

Source:  Business Insider , Crocodile in the Yangtze

Ma had no experience with computers or coding, but he was captivated by the internet when he used it for the first time during a trip to the US in 1995. He had recently started a translation business and made the trip to help a Chinese firm recover a payment. Ma's first online search was "beer," but he was surprised to find that no Chinese beers turned up in the results. It was then that he decided to found an internet company for China.

Source: Business Insider , USA Today

Though his first two ventures failed, four years later he gathered 17 of his friends in his apartment and convinced them to invest in him and his vision for an online marketplace he called "Alibaba." The site allowed exporters to post product listings that customers could buy directly.

Source: Business Insider ,  60 Minutes

Soon, the service started to attract members from all over the world. By October 1999, the company had raised $5 million from Goldman Sachs and $20 million from SoftBank, a Japanese telecom company that also invests in technology companies. The team remained close-knit and scrappy — "We will make it because we are young and we never, never give up," Ma said to a gathering of employees.

Source: Business Insider , Crocodile in the Yangtze

He has always maintained a sense of fun at Alibaba. When the company first became profitable, Ma gave each employee a can of Silly String to go wild with. In the early 2000s, when the company decided to start Taobao, its eBay competitor, he had the team working on it do handstands during breaks to keep their energy levels up.

Source: Business Insider

In 2005, Yahoo invested $1 billion in Alibaba in exchange for about a 40% stake in the company. This was huge for Alibaba — at the time it was trying to beat eBay in China — and it would eventually be an enormous win for Yahoo too, netting it ~$10 billion in Alibaba's IPO alone.

Ma stepped down from his post as CEO in 2013, staying on as executive chairman. Alibaba went public on Sept. 19. "Today what we got is not money. What we got is the trust from the people," Ma told CNBC. The company's $150-billion IPO was the largest offering for a US-listed company in the history of the New York Stock Exchange. It also made Ma the richest man in China, with an estimated worth of $25 billion.

Source: REUTERS, CNBC , AFP

Alibaba employees threw a big party at the company's Hangzhou headquarters to celebrate. One employee even took the party as the perfect opportunity to propose. Ma told employees at a press conference that he hopes they use their newfound wealth to become "a batch of genuinely noble people, a batch of people who are able to help others, and who are kind and happy."

Source: QQ.com , USA Today

The IPO may have made Ma an extremely wealthy man, but he hasn't made any flashy purchases (yet), and he still has some pretty modest hobbies. "I don't think he has changed much, he is still that old style," Xiao-Ping Chen, a friend of Ma, told USA Today. He likes reading and writing kung fu fiction, playing poker, meditating, and practicing tai chi. He has even teamed up with Jet Li to spread awareness of tai chi, and he brings a trainer along with him when he travels.

Source: USA Today

Ma developed an interest in environmentalism when a member of his wife's family became sick with an illness that Ma suspected was caused by pollution. He sits on the global board of The Nature Conservancy, and spoke during a session of the Clinton Global Initiative this September. He's also been instrumental in funding a 27,000-acre nature reserve in China.

Source: Fortune

Ma has largely kept his family life out of the spotlight. He married Zhang Ying, a teacher whom he met at school, after they graduated in the late '80s. "[He] is not a handsome man, but I fell for him because he can do a lot of things handsome men cannot do," Zhang has said. They have two children — a daughter and a son who is an undergrad at UC Berkeley. Ma has also audited history classes at his son's college.

Source: Want China Times , Businessweek

He does have a few splurges, however. In March 2013, Alibaba spent a reported $49.7 million for a Gulfstream G550, mostly for Ma's use.

Source: China Daily

Ma is something of a celebrity in China, and crowds of people show up to listen to him speak.

Source:  60 Minutes

The company also hosts annual talent shows, and Ma is a natural entertainer. At a company anniversary event, he dressed up as a punk rocker for a performance in front of 20,000 Alibaba employees.

Company lore has it that Ma came up with the name "Alibaba" while sitting in a San Francisco coffee shop. In "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves," a secret password unlocks a trove filled with unbelievable riches. Ma's company has, in a way, revealed the potential of small and mid-sized businesses across the globe.

Source: Entrepreneur

Now read about the richest man in the US.

The Incredible Life Of Bill Gates, Who Is Still America's Richest Man »

• Main content

Advertisement

Who is Jack Ma? The story of Alibaba's founder

• Facebook Messenger

By Doug Zanger, America's Editor

October 18, 2018 | 6 min read

Listen to article 4 min

The natural inclination, when considering the upward arcs of Alibaba and Amazon, is to compare the men who founded them. In doing so, there unfolds a tale of two paths which converge and cross perceptually, yet diverge consistently.

Amazon’s Bezos graduated summa cum laude from Princeton with degrees in computer science and electrical engineering. And despite a few false starts early in his career, he had found success in finance before going on to create Amazon.

Jack Ma’s academic record isn’t quite as impressive. He explained at Davos three years ago how he “failed a key primary school test two times, failed the middle school test three times, failed the college entrance exam two times”. Even when he graduated, he was rejected for most of the jobs he applied for out of college. Most notably he was the only one of 24 applicants turned down by KFC in his hometown of Hangzhou.

And he applied 10 times to Harvard Business School, where tech titans Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates had studied, but was rejected on every occasion.

Despite all the failure and all the rejection he forged ahead, never giving up. Indeed his fighting spirit is a consistent thread throughout Ma’s career.

It’s obvious that he fought (and continues to fight) for the company he founded in 1999. He told a gathering of employees early on: “We will make it because we are young and we never, never give up.”

Ma’s public persona is as a fighter as well. A recent movie from Alibaba’s film studio division titled Gong Shou Dao features Ma as an action hero and pays tribute to martial arts – something he holds dear.

“He’s created a really good culture, but it’s not about him,” says Humphrey Ho, who is managing director of Chinese digital agency Hylink’s first international office in Los Angeles. “He fights for his people and his people are encouraged to fight as well, especially for vendors. I’ve always operated as a partner, vendor or client and Alibaba fights for us.”

While Amazon is relentless in its customercentric approach, for Alibaba it is “customers first, employees second and shareholders third” – or at least that’s what Ma told CNBC on the day of the company’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014. Putting shareholders third didn’t necessarily make him friends on Wall Street, but one of the differences between him and his Seattle counterparts lies in what a customer means.

To Ma, his customers include the small businesses that rely on Alibaba’s products, especially Taobao and Tmall. As he told a Stanford University graduate class: “Alibaba is not a company for consumers. We know that small businesses need customers. I knew that we didn’t have the right DNA to become a consumer company. Small businesses know more about the needs of their customers. We had to empower our power sellers and SMEs to support their customers. We hope small businesses can use technology to challenge the large enterprises.”

Internally, Ma’s ability to hire and keep people is part of an ethos that leans on Chinese proverbs, one being: “If you suspect people, don’t use suspicious people.” It’s a roundabout way of saying that the right people should be in the right jobs – and not necessarily the smartest person, which could explain the longer tenures of Alibaba employees.

“The first thing you notice is that people have been at Alibaba a long time,” notes Ho. “There’s usually a lot of turnover in the tech industry, but that’s not the case with Alibaba compared to other big tech conglomerates in China.”

Ma’s penchant is to make others the stars of the show but, oftentimes, the big stages call – and he never disappoints. From interviews with former US president Barack Obama to well-received appearances at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ma shows a deft touch. “He’s a very good communicator and the staff he hires as a result are really good communicators,” says Ho.

“If you speak two languages you can communicate with at least the Western part of the English-speaking world and your executives there, and you can express ideas very similar to your Chinese executives, your Chinese leadership, your board, your shareholders back home. That puts him at a significant advantage over his competitors who are also trying to globalize.”

Alibaba’s annual shopping event Singles Day, which dwarfs the US Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined and raked in more than $25bn worth of sales last year, is another example of Ma’s positive fighting spirit. In the 24 hours of the yearly event, Ma is frequently seen cheering on the Alibaba team, including the developers that churn out promotions at a dizzying pace.

“If it is three in the morning, you appreciate your founder coming down to be with the team,” says Ho. “It’s inspirational and very cool.”

Another area where Ma fights is in philanthropy. Long an advocate for stewardship, especially around natural resources, he set up a philanthropic trust in 2014. Of particular interest is support for his hometown and education for children in China.

For example, late last year the Jack Ma Foundation gave a first-of-its-kind contribution to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University (donations to public hospitals used to be outlawed) in Hangzhou, home of Alibaba Group’s headquarters.

Additionally, earlier this year Ma called on other leaders and entrepreneurs to help support his plan to provide solutions for China’s “left-behind children” – a reference to the growing number of young people left in rural communities while their parents go to urban centers to find work. It is estimated that 60 million children in China fit this category and Ma encouraged 80 entrepreneurs to help establish boarding schools to improve education standards.

“Many pupils have to climb mountains or take a boat to go to school,” Ma told the South China Morning Post (a news outlet owned by Alibaba). “In my opinion, these kids should not be commuting between home and school every day. They should go to a boarding school.”

It would be foolish to depict Alibaba as being a completely different beast to Amazon – they will both, after all, always strive to achieve greater market share. But in a sector where the maximization of profits and the pacification of shareholders is almost a given, it is striking that Ma may well be remembered as much for his philanthropic efforts and struggle for the greater good as he will for his staggering achievements in the world of e-commerce.

This feature first appeared in The Drum's May issue , which focused on Alibaba.

More from Technology

Industry insights.

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

British Council

How jack ma built one of the world's biggest companies, by duncan clark, 26 september 2016 - 08:03.

Natalie Behring, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0  and adapted from the original .

How did Jack Ma overcome his humble origins to establish Alibaba, and what significance does his company have for the UK? We interviewed Duncan Clark, entrepreneur, tech investor and author of  a recent book on Jack Ma , to find out.

What is Alibaba and why is it such a dominant company in China today?

Alibaba  is one of China’s largest and most high-profile companies. Its stated mission is to ‘make it easy to do business anywhere’. Alibaba started out as one of the millions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to emerge from its home province of Zhejiang. It was founded by Jack Ma, his wife and 16 others in a humble apartment in the provincial capital city of Hangzhou in 1999. But Alibaba didn’t stay an SME for long. Today, Alibaba is perhaps China’s most high-profile company, with a market capitalisation of over a quarter of a trillion dollars. The company’s initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014  raised $25 billion , more than any other in history.

Despite its size, Alibaba’s dominance is explained by its consistent focus on meeting the needs of small companies. Early to recognise the power of the internet, Alibaba’s initial business model was as a ‘business-to-business’ (B2B) e-commerce platform. It helped SMEs in Zhejiang and across China sell to other companies, including to export markets that these smaller, local companies had struggled previously to reach. From 2003, when it launched its  Taobao.com  shopping website, Alibaba helped these companies market their wares to individual consumers too. Today, over nine million merchants generate much of their revenues on Taobao.com. Alibaba’s  Tmall.com , where brands and large stores can sell to customers, has also become an important site for the company, opening up a market of middle-class consumers in the wake of the 2008/9 global financial crisis, when the country’s traditional export markets hit the skids.

Taobao is a place for small merchants or individuals to set up a virtual store front. It's free to do so. And Alibaba charges no commission on sales. But, of course, to promote your store, you will likely have to spend money on advertising. That's how Alibaba makes money.

Tmall is for brands or larger retailers. They pay a set-up fee and have to be of a certain scale. Alibaba charges a commission on sales, but helps them with promotion, for example the  Tmall 11.11 Singles' Day event .

Who is Jack Ma, the man behind Alibaba? How did he come to establish ‘the world’s largest retailer’?

Jack Ma is an unlikely corporate tech titan. He struggled in school, especially at maths, and lacked the connections or elite education that many assumed were essential for a successful business leader. But Jack is a gifted communicator. He honed his skills in that area through his parents’ love for a form of traditional performance art called  ping tan , in his childhood as a self-appointed tour guide, and at work through his experience as an English teacher. This, combined with his vision and irrepressible ambition, allowed him to form and lead a team that today has swelled to more than 40,000 employees.

What can the business world learn from Jack Ma? What makes him different or unique?

As I looked back over his career at Alibaba, including from the time in 1999 when I first met him in the small apartment in Hangzhou, where he had recently founded the company, I was struck by the remarkable consistency of his vision. Always ambitious, Jack has also demonstrated a stubbornness to succeed – never wavering in his faith in the internet and the private sector to transform the Chinese economy. He positioned his venture to benefit from both, more so than any other company. Now he is training his eyes on new areas of opportunity, from China’s inefficient financial services and media sectors, to the need for reform in areas from healthcare to environmental protection.

What significance does Alibaba have outside of China? What impact will the business have on other countries?

Alibaba is an icon for the power of entrepreneurship, at home and increasingly overseas. As the company extends its presence overseas, Alibaba is putting a more human face on the growth of a Chinese economy previously dominated by state-owned enterprises. As we witnessed at the recent G-20 summit in Hangzhou, China is keen to impress the world with its achievements and ambition. While state-run stagecraft has its role to play, it is private-sector entrepreneurs like Jack Ma who are best-placed to open the eyes of people outside China to the opportunities presented by the country’s rise.

How can the UK benefit from the growth and success of Alibaba?

Alibaba has set up offices in London and in other European offices to help established brands access China’s burgeoning consumer markets, via its websites like Tmall.com. Alibaba also presents opportunities to UK entrepreneurs. The company is actively investing in pioneering technology and enterprises that will give it an edge in China’s fiercely competitive markets, from financial technology to cloud-computing to entertainment, sports and healthcare.

How can UK talent help Alibaba, and other companies in China, grow internationally?

Perhaps the biggest challenge for Alibaba as it grows into new sectors at home and new markets overseas is human resources. The company has recently launched the  Alibaba Global Leadership Academy  to offer young international professionals 18 months of training at its headquarters in Hangzhou, before serving the company overseas. This is a great opportunity for young British graduates, who don’t need to be fluent in Chinese to apply.

Beyond recruitment, as China goes global, there will be growing demand from companies like Alibaba, Tencent, JD.com and others for professional services in areas such as finance, legal advice, strategy consulting, advertising, and public relations – sectors where UK companies excel. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is also a major opportunity. UK companies in areas such as deep technology, cloud-computing, financial technology and online media could find their ‘exits’ in China (i.e., the sale of their company to another company or through an IPO).

What is it about China’s current economic landscape that provides so many opportunities?

In two words: middle classes. Urbanisation and the dividends from decades of uninterrupted economic growth have created a huge middle-class consumer base numbering several hundred million people already – a number set to grow even further in the coming years. Yes, China’s economy is slowing, but this too creates new opportunities for companies to sell their products and services to an aspirational culture that increasingly values high quality over low prices.

Chinese consumers are becoming more interested in high-quality products, especially things like infant formula, milk or other imported foodstuffs where product safety concerns have tarnished local brands. As they have already acquired many items already at home (or even multiple homes), higher-end consumers are increasingly looking to spend money on non-tangible items like services or media and entertainment.

What advice can you give UK nationals hoping to set up business or make entrepreneurial connections with China?

Arriving fresh into China and trying to set up a business today is not the same proposition as it was two decades ago (when I set up my business). China is an increasingly sophisticated market, in which local players rival and even outperform global players in product quality and their understanding of local market demands. Being realistic about what you offer to China is the answer. So too is not underestimating your capability – perhaps to assist Chinese firms as they expand in the UK and in other markets where their lack of familiarity with local cultures and languages might be an opportunity for worldly UK executives.

How important is it for UK nationals to seek experience of China, learn the language, and form a China network?

Experience of China is of course always helpful, even if it is simply visiting the country to gain insights into the perspectives of counterparts there. Some UK political leaders have little or no experience of China. This is hard to understand. For those in business or cultural circles too, ignorance will be costly.

Duncan Clark is the author of  Alibaba: The House that Jack Ma built . He will be speaking on 27 September 2016 at the European Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. Visit his  website  for more details of his speaking events.

If you're a UK citizen with experience of China, join the Generation UK: China Network – a British Council initiative that aims to deepen the relationships of UK students and professionals with China.

Find out more about  Generation UK – China .

You might also be interested in:

• Who says UK is China's junior partner in new golden era?
• Why China can be an exciting place for women
• A way into business in China: teach English

View the discussion thread.

British Council Worldwide

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• Hong Kong, SAR of China
• Korea, Republic of
• Myanmar (Burma)
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Northern Ireland
• Occupied Palestinian Territories
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Switzerland
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America

• Art History
• U.S. History
• World History

Jack Ma: The Journey of a Visionary Entrepreneur

Jack Ma, known as Ma Yun, is a name that resonates with entrepreneurial triumph and unwavering determination in the face of daunting challenges. His remarkable journey from a modest English teacher to the visionary founder of Alibaba, one of the globe’s premier e-commerce giants, serves as a testament to his extraordinary resilience and relentless pursuit of his dreams. Jack Ma’s life narrative transcends mere entrepreneurial success; it is a tale of transcending barriers and surmounting adversities that punctuated his path to greatness. His story resonates as an enduring source of inspiration, illustrating the power of determination and vision in the face of adversity.

Early Life and Education

Jack Ma’s early life was marked by numerous rejections and setbacks, which would ultimately shape the trajectory of his extraordinary journey. Born in Hangzhou, China, in 1964, he faced the kind of adversity that would have discouraged many. Academic struggles were a recurring theme during his formative years, culminating in the disheartening experience of failing his university entrance exams not once, but twice. Despite these early setbacks, Jack Ma’s resilience and unwavering spirit remained undiminished.

The turning point in Ma’s life came when he was finally admitted to Hangzhou Teacher’s Institute, an event that would set the stage for his future endeavors. It was during his time at the institute that his fascination with the English language took root, and he decided to become an English teacher. Little did he know that this seemingly modest career choice would play a pivotal role in his entrepreneurial journey.

As an English teacher, Jack Ma honed his communication skills and developed a knack for connecting with people. His ability to bridge cultural and language barriers would later prove to be a vital asset in the world of business. Ma’s experiences in the classroom not only sharpened his teaching skills but also planted the seeds of his future endeavors.

While teaching, Ma was introduced to the world of the internet during a trip to the United States in 1995. This encounter ignited his entrepreneurial spirit, and he recognized the untapped potential of e-commerce in China. Armed with a vision and a profound belief in the possibilities of the internet, Jack Ma embarked on a journey that would lead to the founding of Alibaba, an e-commerce platform that would revolutionize the way business was conducted in China and the world.

In retrospect, Jack Ma’s early life and educational struggles were not roadblocks but stepping stones in his path to success. His resilience in the face of academic challenges, combined with his fascination for the English language, laid the foundation for his future accomplishments. Ma’s journey from an English teacher to a pioneering entrepreneur is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-belief, and an unshakable vision. It serves as an enduring source of inspiration for individuals striving to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities on the path to greatness.

The Birth of Alibaba

In 1999, Jack Ma embarked on a revolutionary entrepreneurial journey that would transform the landscape of e-commerce in China and beyond. Armed with a visionary idea and a steadfast determination, Ma founded Alibaba in the confines of his apartment, along with a group of friends who shared his bold vision. At the time, the internet was still in its nascent stages, and the concept of a China-based business-to-business marketplace was pioneering.

The early days of Alibaba were marked by numerous challenges, both operational and skeptical. Many doubted the feasibility of Ma’s ambitious project, given the limited internet infrastructure in China at the time. However, Jack Ma’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of the internet propelled the company forward.

As Alibaba began its journey, Ma faced skepticism from potential investors and had to fund the company’s operations using his own savings. The company’s first iteration, Alibaba.com, aimed to connect Chinese manufacturers with international buyers. Despite initial skepticism and limited resources, Ma’s commitment to creating a platform that would revolutionize global trade remained steadfast.

One of the key factors that contributed to Alibaba’s rapid growth was Ma’s innate ability to understand and cater to the unique needs of the Chinese market. He recognized the importance of building trust in an era when online transactions were relatively new and untested. This led to the development of Alibaba’s iconic “TrustPass” system, which provided a level of security and credibility that was previously lacking in online business transactions.

The early 2000s presented Alibaba with a formidable challenge in the form of intense competition from eBay in China. Under Jack Ma’s visionary leadership, the company launched two game-changing initiatives to counter this competition.

First, Alibaba introduced Taobao, a consumer-to-consumer platform that aimed to disrupt eBay’s dominance in the Chinese e-commerce market. Taobao’s user-friendly interface and innovative features, such as its iconic “Wangwang” instant messaging service for buyers and sellers, quickly gained traction among Chinese consumers.

Second, Alibaba created Alipay, a groundbreaking online payment service that addressed the challenges of trust and security in online transactions. Alipay’s escrow system, which ensured that funds were only released to sellers once buyers were satisfied with their purchases, set a new standard for online payments in China.

These strategic initiatives, combined with Ma’s relentless determination, proved to be game-changers for Alibaba. eBay’s inability to adapt to the Chinese market’s unique dynamics ultimately led to its withdrawal from the Chinese market, marking a significant victory for Jack Ma and Alibaba.

Alibaba’s journey from a small apartment-based start-up to a global e-commerce powerhouse exemplifies the power of visionary leadership, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to innovation. Jack Ma’s ability to navigate challenges, anticipate market trends, and respond with innovative solutions has left an indelible mark on the world of e-commerce and serves as an enduring source of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.

Global Recognition and Expansion

Jack Ma’s vision and ambition knew no bounds; he recognized that the internet had the power to transcend geographical limitations and revolutionize global trade. Alibaba Group’s expansion beyond China’s borders was a testament to his far-reaching vision and determination to facilitate international commerce.

One of the key initiatives that underscored Alibaba’s global ambitions was the launch of AliExpress, a platform that allowed small and medium-sized Chinese businesses to sell their products to consumers worldwide. AliExpress became a bridge between Chinese manufacturers and consumers from diverse countries, enabling access to a wide array of products and creating opportunities for businesses in China to thrive on the global stage.

The pinnacle of Alibaba’s global recognition came in 2014 when the company conducted its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the United States. The IPO was nothing short of historic, setting a world record as the largest public stock offering at that time. Alibaba raised a staggering $25 billion in capital through the IPO, catapulting the company’s valuation to an astonishing $231 billion. This extraordinary achievement not only solidified Alibaba’s position as a global e-commerce giant but also demonstrated the immense trust and confidence that investors and the financial community placed in Jack Ma’s vision.

Alibaba’s IPO served as a landmark moment in the history of global finance, signaling the rise of a Chinese tech giant with the potential to reshape the global e-commerce landscape. It also marked a significant milestone for Jack Ma, whose journey from an English teacher to the founder of a company valued at over $200 billion was an inspiration to entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders worldwide.

Jack Ma’s relentless pursuit of global recognition and expansion was not just about financial success but also about bridging cultures and enabling cross-border trade on an unprecedented scale. His vision transformed Alibaba into a symbol of China’s technological prowess and entrepreneurial spirit on the world stage. The company’s global reach and impact continue to grow, driven by the same principles of innovation and customer-centricity that have been at the core of Jack Ma’s journey from a humble teacher to a global business icon.

Stepping Down and Legacy

Jack Ma’s decision to step down as the chairman of Alibaba Group in 2019 marked a poignant moment in his illustrious career. It was an unconventional move, particularly in a culture where entrepreneurs often hold leadership positions well into their later years, and where Alibaba had become one of the most prominent tech companies in the world under his stewardship.

Ma’s decision to retire from his role as chairman was rooted in his desire to pursue other passions and contribute to society in different ways. He expressed a strong interest in philanthropy and educational reform, signaling a shift in his focus towards giving back to the community and shaping the future of education in China and beyond.

This transition from a corporate leadership role to philanthropic and educational endeavors showcased Jack Ma’s multifaceted character. He had always been an advocate for entrepreneurship and had frequently spoken about the importance of nurturing and empowering the next generation of business leaders. His decision to step down allowed him to champion these causes more directly.

Jack Ma’s legacy transcends his role as a successful entrepreneur and business leader. It embodies the spirit of vision, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. His journey from a humble background to the founder of Alibaba, one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies, continues to inspire entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders worldwide.

Moreover, Ma’s commitment to philanthropy and educational reform underscores his belief in the power of education to transform lives and his dedication to making a positive impact on society. His efforts in these areas, including the creation of the Jack Ma Foundation and the establishment of educational initiatives, further solidify his legacy as a leader who not only achieved great success in business but also sought to leverage that success for the betterment of society.

Jack Ma’s retirement from Alibaba marked a significant chapter in his life, allowing him to focus on philanthropy and education while leaving a lasting legacy of entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and dedication to making a positive impact on the world. His story continues to inspire and motivate individuals to pursue their dreams and contribute to the betterment of society through innovation and philanthropy.

Innovation and Challenges

Jack Ma’s career has been characterized by his relentless pursuit of innovation and his ability to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of technology and business. His innovative approach to leveraging the internet played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of Alibaba, transforming it into a global e-commerce giant.

One of Jack Ma’s early innovations was recognizing the untapped potential of the internet in China. In a time when internet adoption was in its infancy, Ma saw an opportunity to create a platform that would connect businesses and consumers in a way that had never been done before. This vision led to the founding of Alibaba, which initially focused on providing a business-to-business marketplace for Chinese manufacturers and later expanded into consumer e-commerce.

Alibaba’s innovative strategies extended beyond its core e-commerce platform. The company ventured into various sectors, including finance with Alipay, cloud computing with Alibaba Cloud, and media and entertainment through acquisitions like Youku Tudou. These diversifications were strategic moves to position Alibaba as a comprehensive ecosystem that catered to a wide range of consumer and business needs.

However, Alibaba’s rapid expansion also brought with it regulatory challenges and scrutiny. As the company expanded into diverse sectors, it attracted attention from Chinese regulators concerned about issues such as antitrust practices, data privacy, and market dominance. Jack Ma’s ability to navigate these complexities while continuing to drive innovation within the company was a testament to his leadership and strategic acumen.

One of the notable challenges came when Ma’s proposed initial public offering (IPO) of Ant Group, an affiliate of Alibaba, faced regulatory hurdles. The IPO, which was expected to be one of the largest in history, was suspended by Chinese authorities. Ma’s ability to manage this setback and work with regulators to address concerns reflected his pragmatic and adaptable approach to challenges.

Jack Ma’s journey exemplifies the delicate balance between innovation and regulatory compliance in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. While innovation fueled Alibaba’s growth, regulatory scrutiny became an integral part of its journey. Ma’s leadership in navigating these complexities highlights his ability to adapt, collaborate, and find solutions in the face of challenges, which are essential qualities for a visionary entrepreneur operating on a global scale.

Jack Ma’s career has been marked by innovation, diversification, and the ability to navigate regulatory challenges in the dynamic world of technology and business. His visionary approach and adaptability have allowed Alibaba to remain at the forefront of e-commerce and technology, while his leadership in addressing regulatory concerns underscores the importance of compliance in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Personal Philosophy and Leadership Style

Jack Ma’s personal philosophy and distinctive leadership style have played a pivotal role in shaping the culture and success of Alibaba and his impact on the broader entrepreneurial landscape.

Central to his philosophy is the emphasis on embracing change and fostering innovation. Ma believes that in a rapidly evolving world, businesses must be agile and adaptable to survive and thrive. His own journey, from a modest background to founding one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms, serves as a testament to the power of innovation and change.

One of Ma’s most notable and oft-quoted principles is his belief that “customers are first, employees are second, and shareholders are third.” This philosophy challenges the conventional prioritization of shareholders’ interests above all else and places a strong emphasis on delivering value to customers and creating a positive work environment for employees. While this approach has been considered unconventional and has sparked debates, it underscores Ma’s commitment to building a company that prioritizes long-term sustainability and customer satisfaction.

Jack Ma’s leadership style is characterized by his charismatic and inspirational demeanor. He possesses the ability to inspire and motivate those around him to think big, take risks, and challenge the status quo. His passion for entrepreneurship and belief in the potential of individuals to drive change have made him a revered figure in the global business community.

Despite his charismatic leadership, Ma also values humility and a willingness to learn from failures. He often shares his own experiences of setbacks and rejections, emphasizing that these moments of adversity have been instrumental in his personal growth and success. This openness about his own journey fosters a culture of resilience and learning within Alibaba and among aspiring entrepreneurs who look up to him.

In conclusion, Jack Ma’s personal philosophy and leadership style have been instrumental in shaping Alibaba’s success and influencing the broader entrepreneurial landscape. His emphasis on embracing change, fostering innovation, and prioritizing customers and employees over shareholders challenges conventional business norms. Ma’s charismatic leadership, combined with his humility and openness about failures, has made him a revered figure and a source of inspiration for individuals and businesses worldwide. His legacy extends beyond the realm of e-commerce, serving as a reminder that visionary leadership, coupled with a commitment to positive values, can lead to transformative change and enduring success.

Newest Additions

• The Beheading of John the Baptist
• Jesus Sends Out His Twelve Apostles
• The Miracle of Healing: Jesus and the Paralytic
• Parables of Wisdom: The Teachings of Jesus
• Jesus’ Response to John’s Disciples

Copyright © 2020 · Totallyhistory.com · All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Us

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Business Leaders
• Entrepreneurs

Jack Ma's Net-Worth and Influence

What is Jack Ma, founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ( BABA ), worth? As of Jun. 21, 2023, Jack Ma's net worth is $34.1 billion as the 39th richest person in the world, according to an article from Bloomberg.

Much of Ma’s wealth is linked to Alibaba. He used to own the largest controlling interest in the company and its subsidiaries, though he has been divesting his shares over time. In July 2020, he sold another $8.2 billion worth of shares. According to the company's 13D filing in February 2022, he now ownes 3.9% of the business.

The firm's roots date back to 1995, when Ma and his wife started a site-creating company called China Yellow Pages. Less than five years later, Ma co-founded Alibaba with 17 friends in Hangzhou.

Alibaba’s holdings now include outright ownership and or important ownership stakes in a movie studio, venture capital funds, Yahoo! China, healthcare technology makers, Internet messaging and voice apps, supply chain management companies, taxi-hailing app services, video streaming sites, social media apps, and online clothing retailers.

Ma stepped down as Chairman of Alibaba on Sept. 10, 2019, on his 55th birthday, as part of a long-standing succession plan.

When a person makes Forbes ’ The World’s Billionaires list, investors are naturally interested in what they're investing in.

Buffet-Style Investing

With a wide array of investments spread out over a number of different companies and sectors, Ma’s web of deals and diversification are often likened to that of Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK) fame. Ma is a prolific investor who is not shy of financing all stages of a venture, from seed funding to established company. Much of his investing has been done through Yunfeng Capital or various shell companies.

Ma established venture capital firm Yunfeng Capital with four associates in 2010. The five principals came to be known as the “Zhejiang Gang,” referring to the province where they were born. Yunfeng, invests in early-stage companies across a number of industries; almost all of of the companies are located in China . Yunfeng investment sectors include:

• Healthcare (the fund, for example, put 200 million RMB into China Resources Wandong Medical Equipment Co. Ltd. [Shanghai: 600055.SS], a maker of medical devices),
• Insurance ($1.7 billion worth of shares in China Taiping Insurance Holdings Company Limited [HKSE: 0966.HK])
• Clean energy
• Consumer goods
• Finance (with a 56% stake in REORIENT Group Limited (HKSE: 0376.HK), a mid-cap brokerage located in Hong Kong)
• Internet products and services

Private Investments

Not all of Ma's funds are invested in public companies; a large portion of his wealth is invested privately, through various connections and holding companies. One such private equity fund is Star Capital, which invests in a variety of business sectors, including real estate , in China and across Europe. Star Capital is majority-controlled by Fosun International. A major part of Alibaba’s financial services businesses, including Alipay, is overseen by another holding company that is controlled by Ma and other investors.

In 2014, Jack Ma and several other investors put up $1 billion to purchase a 20% stake in Wasu Media, (Shenzhen: 000156.SZ). While this transaction may look fairly straightforward, a closer look at the way the deal was structured revealed a somewhat complex arrangement.

The Hangzhou Yunxi Investment Partnership Enterprise, which made the investment on behalf of its three partners, including Ma, is controlled by three separate entities. One of those, Hangzhou Yun Huang Investment Management, is 99% controlled by Ma, with the other 1% owned by Simon Xie. The $1 billion loan was made to Xie from Alibaba, and then invested into the Yunxi partnership for the purchase of the Wasu shares. Taking a very circuitous route, Ma was investing personally in Wasu, and his appetite for media.

Media, Sports, and Entertainment

The Huayi Brothers (Shenzhen: 300027.SZ) entertainment company, originally formed in 1994, is just one example of Ma's growing interest. Yunfeng, Chinese Internet giant Tencent Holdings Limited (OTC: TCTZF), and Huayi purchased controlling interests in it through an empty shell corporation called China Jiuhao Health Industry Corporation Limited (HKSE: 0419.HK).

In January 2019, Alibaba's Pictures Group (a subsidiary of Alibaba) extended a $1 million loan to Huayi Brothers. In return, Huayi pledged to produce 10 theatrical films over the next five years, giving Alibaba Pictures priority as a potential investor, distributor, and merchandiser.

In 2015, Yunfeng participated in an initial funding round of $129 million for Le TV Sports, a then-fledgling sports rights and streaming company, that went on to secure $1.2 billion in Series B funding in 2016.

Jack Ma's Causes

Ma is a charismatic, flamboyant, and energetic leader, and his influence in business and leadership has been recognized by various organizations. He was named one of the world’s most influential people by Time Magazine in 2009 , Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy in 2010 by Forbes Asia, and one of 30 world’s best CEO s by Barron’s in 2008.

His influence has transcended business into social causes, primarily environmental ones. Ma has been a board member of The Nature Conservancy in China since 2010. He has taken on the shark fishing industry, pledging to end the consumption of shark fin dishes, and working to bring about the end of trading fins and other shark-based products on Alibaba.

A small (but meaningful in absolute value) percentage of Alibaba’s profits are allocated to fund environmental causes. Ma has also begun sounding the alarm bells (albeit cautiously) on the environmental impact of China's fast-developing industrial economy. He is advocating for China to take steps to further diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on manufacturing.

Ma is an active advocate for women’s fair treatment and advancement in business. Within Alibaba, six of the eighteen founding partners are women, and five of the fourteen executive team members are women. He has asserted, adding proudly, "We have many women CEOs, CFOs , directors and so on."

He also aims to use his influence to encourage and advance fledging business owners. "For the rest of my life, I want to encourage entrepreneurship , to help more small and midsize enterprises ," he has stated. He is also flirting with the idea of returning to his academic roots—he is a graduate of Hangzhou Teacher's Institute —someday. "I want to go back to school because I was trained to be a school teacher," says Ma. "I have been doing business for 15 years, and I think most of the things that I learned from the business school are not correct—I want to go back and share with others."

In 2023, he did return to academia, taking a role as a Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo, researching sustainable agriculture and food production between May and October 2023.

Expanding Access to Capital Through Alibaba

Ma also suggests that various Alibaba ventures have a philanthropic bent. In 2016, he coined the term "TechFin" as a way to not only set the company's payment platform Alipay apart from its competitors, but to underscore the company's goal of providing young people, small companies, and poor nations access to capital .

He wants Alibaba, already the world's largest e-commerce platform, to also be the go-to financier for emerging markets . And the company's Alipay e-wallet service, which boasts more than 1.3 billion users, is going to serve as the backbone for Ma's payment platform expansion efforts.

“ Fintech takes the original financial system and improves its technology,” said Ma during a 2016 China Conference organized by the South China Morning Post (SCMP). “TechFin is to rebuild the system with technology. What we want to do is to solve the problem of a lack of inclusiveness.”

The South China Morning Post, a publication owned by Alibaba, quoted Ma as saying, "Everyone should have a bank account." To that end, Alibaba’s financial services affiliate Ant Financial Services Group (which manages Alipay) has begun to focus on emerging markets such as India, the Philippines, and Malaysia—areas that are considered underserved, compared to established markets like Europe and the United States.

Ant also runs Yu’E Bao, a  money market fund launched in 2013 that offers higher interest on savings and greater liquidity than many of China's traditional banks.

As for how Alipay and the concept of "TechFin" stands up against existing payment platforms, Ma described his ambition as being less about competition and more about solving a problem. “It’s not a business model competition... getting a business model is simple if you really solve a big problem and create value.”

An article from the South China Morning Post quoted him as saying. “In India, we have over 150 million users who can run mobile payments within 20 months. This [enabling the poor to have bank accounts] is something we feel proud of.”

However, his efforts have faced some headwinds. In 2020, the Indian government banned many Chinese apps, include Alipay Cashier and other apps from Alibaba.

What inspired Jack Ma to start Internet businesses?

Jack Ma's first encounter with the Internet came in 1995 when he visited the United States. He was inspired, and noted the lack of Chinese web sites. He identified this as a business opportunity and founded his first company China Pages, which helped build websites for Chinese businesses.

How many languages does Jack Ma speak?

Jack Ma is bilingual, speaking both Mandarin and English. He took an interest in English at the age of 12, practicing his English with foreign tourists while offering tours of Hangzhou. He also studied to become an English teacher.

What are Jack Ma's work habits?

Jack Ma encourages hard work over long hours. He is a proponent of "996," which means working from 9 AM to 9 PM 6 days a week.

SRM University

Mp board result 2024, ts inter results 2024.

• MP Board 10th Result 2024
• MP Board 12th Result 2024
• TS Board Results 2024
• NBSE Board Result 2024
• UK Board Result 2024
• Karnataka Board Result
• Shiv Khera Special
• Education News
• Web Stories
• Current Affairs
• नए भारत का नया उत्तर प्रदेश
• School & Boards
• College Admission
• Govt Jobs Alert & Prep
• GK & Aptitude
• general knowledge

Jack Ma Biography: Birth, Childhood, Education, Philanthropy, Business and Entertainment Career

Jack ma biography: jack ma is a chinese businessman. investor and politician. after serving for around 13 years, jack ma has stepped down from softbank group’s board of directors. in september 2019, he was retired as alibaba 's executive chairman. .

Jack Ma (age 55 years) is a Chinese businessman. investor and politician. Jack Ma, the co-founder of Alibaba was retired as its Executive Chairman in September 2019. After serving for around 13 years, Jack Ma has stepped down from Softbank Group’s board of directors. Alibaba is the multinational technology conglomerate. 

Jack Ma or Ma Yun is one of the world's most powerful people and is the global brand ambassador for Chinese business. With a net worth of $42.1 Billion, Jack Ma is the second wealthiest person in China, as of April 2020. 

Jack Ma: Childhood and Education

Jack Ma was born on September 10, 1964, as Ma Yun in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Jack Ma started studying English at a very young age. At the age of 9 years, Jack Ma travelled 27 kilometres on his bicycle to guide tourists so that he can practise English. Jack Ma further became pen pals with a foreigner who nicknamed him Jack as the Chinese name was hard for him to pronounce.    

Jack Ma: Business Career

Jack Ma applied for 30 different jobs but faced rejection. He went for a job with the police and was told that he is not good. He went to KFC with 24 other people, everyone was selected except him. 

In 1994, Jack Ma heard about the Internet and started his own company 'Hangzhou Haibo Translation Agency'.

In the year 1995, Jack Ma along with his friends visited the United States. In the US, he found information related to beer from several countries except for China. He was surprised to find no general information about China on the Internet. Thus, Jack Ma along with his friends created a website 'ugly' related to China and launched it at 9:40 AM. By 12:30, Jack started receiving e-mails from several investors. 

In April 1995, Jack Ma started his second company with He Yibing named 'China Pages'. On May 10, 1995, Jack Ma and He Yibing registered the domain of the China Pages in the US 'chinapages.com'. Within 3 years, the company's worth was 800,000 USD. 

After the success of China Pages, Jack Ma started building websites for different Chinese companies. However, in 2010, Jack Ma revealed that he never wrote a code nor made any sale to the customers. 

During 1998-1999, Ma was the head of an IT company established by the China International Electronic Commerce Center,  Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. In 1999, Jack Ma resigned and founded 'Alibaba' with his 18 friends. 

In October 1999 and in January 2000, Alibaba won a total $25 million foreign investment twice. To improve the global e-commerce system, Jack Ma founded  Taobao Marketplace, Alipay, Ali Mama and Lynx. After its huge success, eBay offered to purchase Taobao but Ma turned down the offer. Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang invested $1 billion in Taobao. 

In September 2014, Alibaba was rising on the New York Stock Exchange over $25 billion in IPO and became one of the most valuable technology companies in the world. This was the largest initial public offering in US history. Jack Ma served as executive chairman of Alibaba Group, which holds-- Alibaba.com, Taobao Marketplace, Tmall, eTao, Alibaba Cloud Computing, Juhuasuan, 1688.com, AliExpress.com, and Alipay.

In November 2012, Alibaba's online transaction exceeded one trillion yuan. In 2015, Jack Ma founded a business school 'Hupan School'.  

On January 9, 2017, Jack Ma met US President Donald Trump and discussed 1 million job openings in the coming five years in favour of Alibaba. 

Jack Ma: Entertainment career

Jack ma: philanthropy.

Jack Ma founded a philanthropic organization 'Jack Ma Foundation' which focused on improving education, environment and public health.

In 2008, Alibaba donated $808,000 after the Sichuan earthquake caused destruction. In 2009, Jack Ma was appointed as the trustee of The Nature Conservancy's China program, and in 2010, became one of the Directors of the organization. 

In 2015, Alibaba Hong Kong Young Entrepreneurs Foundation was launched to support the entrepreneurs of Hong Kong to help grow their business. The same year, Alibaba funded for the construction of the houses damaged by the earthquake in Nepal. 

In 2018, Jack Ma started the  Jack Ma Foundation and announced his retirement from Alibaba citing several reasons-- educational work, philanthropy, and environmental causes.

In 2019, Forbes awarded him the 'Malcolm S. Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award' for his help to the underprivileged communities-- China, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East. He was also listed as 'Asia's 2019 Heroes of Philanthropy'.

In 2020, Alibaba Foundation and Jack Ma Foundation launched several initiatives to ease the distress caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Both the foundation donated medical supplies to several countries-- the United States and in the countries in Asia, Africa and Europe.

Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India , World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App .

• IPL Schedule 2024
• Fastest 50 in IPL 2024
• Lowest score In IPL
• Earth Day 2024
• IPL 2024 Points Table
• Hanuman Jayanti 2024
• Ram Navami 2024
• Purple Cap in IPL 2024
• AP SSC Results 2024
• Earth Day Quotes

Latest Education News

VTU Results 2024 OUT at vtu.ac.in, Download UG Semester Marksheet

Karnataka 2nd PUC Hall Ticket 2024 OUT: Access the Admit Card at kseab.karnataka.gov.in, Check Steps to Download

Assam HS Result 2024: Check Expected AHSEC 12th Result Date and Time, Steps to Download Marksheet at resultsassam.nic.in

Prove Your Vision Power By Finding The CARROT Hidden In The Vendor Shop Within 13 Seconds. Good Luck!

Tripura PSC JE Admit Card 2024 Out at tpsc.tripura.gov.in: Here's hall ticket download link

TS SSC Results 2024 Date: Telangana 10th Class Result Likely on April 30, Check Latest Updates

ISC Class 12 Computer Science Syllabus 2024-25: Download Class 12th Computer Science Syllabus PDF

TS ECET 2024 Application Correction Starts Today April 24, 2024. Check Steps To Correct Application Form Here

UPSC CAPF 2024 Notification Released: यूपीएससी ने जारी किया सीएपीएफ परीक्षा की अधिसूचना यहाँ देखें आवेदन लिंक

UPSC CAPF 2024 Notification Released for 506 Vacancies: Check Application Form, AC Eligibility, Exam Date, Application Dates

Seek and Find Puzzle: Only Eagle Eyes Can Spot the Skateboard in this Packing Frenzy

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: यहां देखें दूसरे फेज के 5 सबसे अमीर उम्मीदवारों की संपत्ति, उड़ जायेंगे होश

JEE Main 2024 Session 2 Topper List: Top AIR Ranks, Score and Names

Maharashtra Board Results 2024: Class 10 12 Results Expected Soon, Get Date and Time Updates Here

Alagappa University Result 2024 OUT at alagappauniversity.ac.in; Direct Link to Download UG and PG Marksheet

Optical Illusion Vision Test: Find the comb in the library in 7 seconds!

Gujarat Board Result 2024: HSC and SSC Results Expected Soon, Get Date and Time Details Here

OPSC VAS, AVAS Admit Card 2024 Out at opsc.gov.in, Direct Link to Hall Ticket, Check Exam Date

UPSC CAPF Syllabus 2024: PDF Download for Important Topics

RPF Syllabus 2024: कांस्टेबल और SI परीक्षा पैटर्न और सब्जेक्ट वाइज सिलेबस डाउनलोड करें

• Biographies & Memoirs
• Professionals & Academics

Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Amazon Prime includes:

Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.

• Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
• Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
• Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
• Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.

Buy new: $6.99

Return this item for free.

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Jack Ma: A Biography of the Alibaba Billionaire Paperback – November 12, 2017

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Print length 46 pages
• Language English
• Publication date November 12, 2017
• Dimensions 5.98 x 0.1 x 9.02 inches
• ISBN-10 197968815X
• ISBN-13 978-1979688154
• See all details

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 12, 2017)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 46 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 197968815X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1979688154
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.72 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.98 x 0.1 x 9.02 inches
• #16,314 in Business Professional's Biographies

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top review from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Back to Black

The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

• Sam Taylor-Johnson
• Matt Greenhalgh
• Marisa Abela
• Eddie Marsan
• Jack O'Connell
• 50 User reviews
• 60 Critic reviews
• 49 Metascore

• Amy Winehouse

• Mitch Winehouse

• Blake Fielder-Civil

• Cynthia Winehouse

• Joey the dealer

• Nick Shymansky

• Janis Winehouse

• Raye Cosbert

• Chris Taylor

• Artist Development Man
• Aunt Melody

• Perfume Paul

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia Marisa Abela had done most of the singing in this film herself. She trained extensively to mimic Amy Winehouse 's vocals.

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 2 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed