Morris Chang

$8.68 B

Ranked #406 in World

About Morris Chang

Morris Chang, a Taiwanese-American mogul and a pivotal figure in the semiconductor sector, founded the renowned TSMC and served as its CEO. Amassing a $2.8 billion net worth by 2024, Chang's journey began in China (1931), leading him to the U.S. for education at Harvard, MIT, and later Stanford, where he earned a Ph.D. His tenure at Texas Instruments and General Instrument marked significant strides in chip manufacturing. Chang spearheaded TSMC, the semiconductor powerhouse, before retiring in 2018, contributing immensely to Taiwan's tech ascendance.

Born

July 10, 1931 in Ningbo, Chekiang Province, Republic of China

Age

94 years

Source Of Wealth

Semiconductors

Industries

Technology

Citizenship

Taiwan

Residence

Hsinchu

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Master of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Ph.D, Stanford University

Spouse

Sophie Chang

Children

Morris Chang was born on July 10, 1931, in Ningbo, China. He moved to the United States in 1949 to attend Harvard University, where he initially studied economics. However, he later transferred to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering.

Morris Chang: Family

Morris Chang is married to Sophie Chang, who is the cousin of Terry Gou, the founder of Foxconn. They have two stepdaughters and one daughter together.

Morris Chang: Career Highlights

Morris Chang's career in the semiconductor industry began in 1955 when he joined Sylvania Semiconductor. He then moved to Texas Instruments in 1958 and rose to the position of manager of the engineering section. While at Texas Instruments, he obtained a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1964.

Chang pioneered the concept of pricing semiconductors "ahead of the cost curve," which became a key strategy for the semiconductor industry. He also became the group vice president responsible for TI's worldwide semiconductor business.

In 1984, Chang left TI and became president and COO of General Instrument Corporation, where he stayed until 1985.

Morris Chang: Companies

Morris Chang has held leadership positions in several prominent companies throughout his career. These include:

Sylvania Semiconductor
Texas Instruments
General Instrument Corporation
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)
Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation

Morris Chang: Major Achievements

Morris Chang is widely regarded as the founder of Taiwan's semiconductor industry. He played a pivotal role in establishing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in 1987, which has since become one of the world's most profitable chip makers.

Under Chang's leadership, TSMC transformed Taiwan into a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing. He is credited with developing innovative strategies and fostering a culture of excellence within the company.

Morris Chang: Awards & Achievements

Morris Chang has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the semiconductor industry.

These include:

Exemplary Leadership Award from the Fabless Semiconductor Association (1999)
IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal (2000)
National Academy of Engineering Member (2002)
Nikkei Asia Prize for Regional Growth (2005)
Computer History Museum Fellow Award (2007)
Robert N. Noyce Award from the Semiconductor Industry Association (2008)
IEEE Medal of Honor (2011)
Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon from the Republic of China (2011)
SPIE Visionary Award (2014)
Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon from the Republic of China (2018)

Morris Chang: Personal Life & Legacy

Morris Chang obtained American citizenship in 1962. He has represented Taiwan as a special envoy to APEC Meetings. Chang is also known for his philanthropic efforts and has made significant contributions to educational institutions and research organizations.

Chang's legacy lies in his transformative impact on the semiconductor industry and his role in shaping Taiwan's economic success. He is widely respected for his vision, leadership, and dedication to advancing technological innovation.

Morris Chang: Trivia

Morris Chang is the author of an autobiography titled "Autobiography of Morris C.M. Chang Vol. 1 (1931-1964)" (in Chinese).

Wealth History

Timeline

1931

Morris Chang was born in Ningbo, China.

1949

Morris Chang moved to the United States to attend Harvard University.

1955

Morris Chang joined Sylvania Semiconductor.

1958

Morris Chang moved to Texas Instruments and rose to manager of the engineering section.

1962

Morris Chang obtained American citizenship.

1964

Morris Chang obtained a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University.

1984

Morris Chang left TI and became president and COO of General Instrument Corporation.

1987

Morris Chang founded TSMC in Taiwan.

1994

Morris Chang left ITRI and became chairman of Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation.

1999

Morris Chang received the Exemplary Leadership Award from the Fabless Semiconductor Association.

2000

Morris Chang received the IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal.

2001

Morris Chang joined the Goldman Sachs board of directors.

2002

Morris Chang became a member of the National Academy of Engineering.

2005

Morris Chang received the Nikkei Asia Prize for Regional Growth.

2007

Morris Chang received an honorary doctorate from National Chengchi University.

2008

Morris Chang received the Robert N. Noyce Award from the Semiconductor Industry Association.

2009

Morris Chang returned to TSMC as CEO.

2011

Morris Chang received the IEEE Medal of Honor and the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon from the Republic of China.

2014

Morris Chang received the SPIE Visionary Award.

2015

Morris Chang received an honorary doctorate from Asia University, Taiwan.

2018

Morris Chang retired from TSMC and received the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon from the Republic of China.

Morris Chang : FAQs

What is Morris Chang's current net worth?

Morris Chang's current net worth is $8.68 billion.

What is Morris Chang's current global rank among billionaires?

Morris Chang holds the 406th position globally among billionaires.

What is Morris Chang's current ranking within the Taiwan?

Morris Chang holds the 5th position in Taiwan.

What was the change in Morris Chang's net worth compared to the previous year?

Morris Chang's net worth increased by 2.18 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 6.50 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Morris Chang's net worth?

Morris Chang's net worth increased by 19.8 million dollars recently, a 0.23% increase, with his net worth standing at 8.68 billion dollars.

What are Morris Chang's main sources of wealth?

Morris Chang's main source of income comes from Semiconductors.

In which industry does Morris Chang primarily operate?

Morris Chang is primarily involved in the Technology industry.

What is Morris Chang educational background?

Morris Chang holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Master of Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Ph.D from Stanford University.

How old is Morris Chang?

Morris Chang is 94 years old.

How many children does Morris Chang have?

Morris Chang has 1 children.

Who is Morris Chang and what is his contribution to the semiconductor industry?

Morris Chang is a Taiwanese-American businessman and electrical engineer, renowned as the founder and the former chairman and CEO of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the cornerstone company in Taiwan's semiconductor industry. With an estimated net worth of US$2.8 billion as of February 2024, he is acknowledged as a pivotal figure in the development of Taiwan's semiconductor sector.

What is the background and early education of Morris Chang?

Born in Ningbo, China, in 1931, Morris Chang moved to the United States in 1949 to attend Harvard University. He later transferred to MIT, where he obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering. Despite leaving MIT without a Ph.D. after failing his doctoral qualification exams, he went on to have a highly successful career.

How did Morris Chang's career in the semiconductor industry evolve?

Morris Chang's illustrious career began at Sylvania Semiconductor in 1955, and he joined Texas Instruments in 1958, ascending to manager of the engineering section. After earning his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1964, he pioneered semiconductor pricing strategies and eventually became group vice president of TI's worldwide semiconductor business before later founding TSMC.

What roles did Morris Chang serve after moving to Taiwan?

After his recruitment by the ROC government, Morris Chang took on the role of chairman and president of the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan. He fouded TSMC in 1987, subsequently shaping it into one of the most profitable chip makers globally. Chang also served as chairman of Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation, returned to TSMC as CEO, and retired in 2018.

Can you provide details on Morris Chang's affiliations and recognitions?

Morris Chang has a notable affiliation with the National Academy of Engineering in the US and is a Life Member Emeritus of the MIT Corporation. His numerous recognitions include the IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal, admission to the National Academy of Engineering, and awards like the Nikkei Asia Prize for Regional Growth and the IEEE Medal of Honor, demonstrating his significant contributions to the field of engineering.