William Ding is a 46-year-old self-made billionaire, founder and CEO of NetEase. He was born on October 1, 1971, in China. His nationality is American. William Ding, or Ding Lei, is a Chinese billionaire entrepreneur and the founder of one of China’s largest technology and gaming companies, NetEase.
Seen as a leading figure in the tech and gaming world in China, Ding has played an instrumental role in the country’s internet boom and his success with NetEase has made him one of the richest people on earth.
Table of Contents
Biography
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ding Lei (William Ding) |
| Date of Birth | October 1, 1971 |
| Place of Birth | Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China |
| Age | 53 years old (as of 2024) |
| Height | Approximately 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $27 billion (as of 2024) |
| Primary Source of Wealth | Founder of NetEase, investments in online gaming, AI, e-commerce, and education |
| Company | NetEase, one of the largest internet and gaming companies in China |
| Gaming Success | Known for popular games like Fantasy Westward Journey and partnerships with Blizzard Entertainment |
| Wife | Married (identity not publicly disclosed) |
| Children | Has children, including at least one daughter (identities remain private) |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China |
| Houses | Owns luxurious properties in Hangzhou, China, and other locations |
| Lifestyle | Leads a low-profile, private lifestyle despite his immense wealth |
| Philanthropy | Focused on education and technological development in China |
| Business Focus | Online gaming, music streaming, AI, education, and e-commerce |
Early life and education
William Ding was born on October 1, 1971, in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. He received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in 1993. Before launching NetEase, Ding worked as a software programmer at different enterprises, accumulating work experience relating to China’s computer technology sector during its infancy stages.
Net worth is the amount by which assets exceed liabilities. An individual’s net worth is simply the value of everything that person owns minus the total of all that person owes to others.
For a typical household, net worth includes home equity after subtracting mortgages or other home debts, investments of any sort, accumulations in pensions and retirement accounts, personal savings and many other kinds of wealth or obligations owing.
Net Worth
As of 2024, the estimated net worth of William Ding is $27 billion, which makes him one of the richest people in China. Most of his wealth comes from his large ownership of NetEase as well as his other investments in gaming, e-commerce and artificial intelligence.
NetEase: The Core of His Success
- Founded: In 1997, William Ding founded NetEase, which started as an email services provider.
- Gaming Empire: NetEase has grown to become a Chinese internet giant and one of the country’s leading online gaming firms with popular titles like Fantasy Westward Journey, as well as partnering with US gaming juggernaut Blizzard Entertainment for its game World of Warcraft.
- Diversification: The firm has increasingly branched out into new areas such as education, music streaming and e-commerce, helping it gain traction beyond China’s shores.
An individual’s personal life refers to a person’s relationships, responsibilities, and/or activities beyond the workplace, including everything that a person does at home.
Wife
William Ding is married; however, it is a mystery who his wife is. Ding chooses to keep his personal life out of the media exposure, much like various other notable Chinese billionaires.
Children: Ding is rumored to have children, including at least one daughter; however, their names and details are not made public.
Lifestyle
Ding is known for his reserved and low-key lifestyle despite being one of the richest men in the world.
Age and Height
- Age: 53 years old (as of 2024)
- Approximately 5’9″ (175 cm)
Houses and Lifestyle
William Ding is the owner of several expensive houses in China. He lives in a luxury home located in Hangzhou, which is also 9FAG office. Out of China, it is estimated that William Ding owns multiple prime properties as part of his vast wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is William Ding’s primary source of wealth?
William Ding’s wealth comes from his ownership of NetEase, a Chinese gaming and tech company, along with investments in AI and e-commerce.
