William Ding

William Ding

$37.24 B

Ranked #55 in World

About William Ding

Ding Lei (William Ding), the esteemed founder and CEO of NetEase, leveraged his engineering background from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China to amass a fortune, becoming 2003's wealthiest individual in China with 7.6 billion yuan. Currently holding a net worth of $5.2 billion as reported in 2013 by Hurun, Ding expanded into sustainable pork production, securing a $23 million investment in 2017 from tech giants. His latest acquisition: a $29 million Bel Air mansion previously owned by Elon Musk.

Born

October 01, 1971 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

Age

54 years

Source Of Wealth

Online Games

Industries

Technology

Citizenship

China

Residence

Hangzhou

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Spouse

Wang Xunfang

Children

3

Ding Lei, also known as William Ding, was born on October 1, 1971, in Fenghua, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. He grew up in a modest family and showed a keen interest in technology from a young age.

William Ding: Family

Ding Lei's family background is not widely known, but he has been married to Wang Xing since 2003. The couple has two children together.

William Ding: Career Highlights

Ding Lei's career took a significant turn when he founded NetEase (163.com) in 1997. Under his leadership, NetEase grew into one of the largest internet companies in China, offering various services such as online games, email, e-commerce, and music streaming.

William Ding: Companies

Ding Lei is the founder and CEO of NetEase, Inc., a leading Chinese internet technology company. NetEase operates several subsidiaries, including NetEase Games, NetEase Cloud Music, NetEase Youdao, and NetEase Yanxuan.

William Ding: Major Achievements

Ding Lei's major achievements include building NetEase into a multi-billion dollar company and becoming one of the richest individuals in China. He is also recognized for his contributions to the development of the internet industry in China.

William Ding: Awards & Achievements

Ding Lei has received numerous awards and recognitions for his entrepreneurial success. Some of his notable awards include the "China Internet Person of the Year" award in 2003 and the "Forbes China Business Leader of the Year" award in 2015.

William Ding: Personal Life & Legacy

Ding Lei is known for his low-key personal life and his dedication to his work. He is passionate about technology and innovation and continues to drive NetEase's growth and expansion.

William Ding: Trivia

In 2020, Ding Lei purchased a 16,000-square-foot mansion in Bel Air, Los Angeles, for $29 million from Elon Musk. The purchase made headlines due to its high price tag and the involvement of two prominent tech entrepreneurs.

Wealth History

Timeline

October 1, 1971

Ding Lei (William Ding) was born in Fenghua, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.

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Ding Lei graduated from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China with a bachelor's degree.

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Ding Lei initially worked as an engineer in a local state department in Ningbo before moving to Guangzhou to work for Sybase.

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Ding Lei founded NetEase.

2003

Ding Lei became the richest individual on the Chinese mainland with a net worth of 7.6 billion yuan.

2012

Ding Lei expanded NetEase's activities into pork production, focusing on technology and environmental sustainability.

May 2017

Ding Lei received investments totaling $23 million from Sinovation Ventures, Meituan-Dianping, and JD for the pig farm.

June 2020

Ding Lei purchased a 16,000-square-foot mansion in Bel Air, Los Angeles, for $29 million from Elon Musk.

William Ding : FAQs

What is William Ding's current net worth?

William Ding's current net worth is $37.24 billion.

What is William Ding's current global rank among billionaires?

William Ding holds the 55th position globally among billionaires.

What is William Ding's current ranking within the China?

William Ding holds the 4th position in China.

What was the change in William Ding's net worth compared to the previous year?

William Ding's net worth decreased by 7.21 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 44.46 billion dollars.

What are William Ding's main sources of wealth?

William Ding's main source of income comes from Online Games.

In which industry does William Ding primarily operate?

William Ding is primarily involved in the Technology industry.

What is William Ding educational background?

William Ding holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China.

How old is William Ding?

William Ding is 54 years old.

Who is Ding Lei and what is he known for in the business world?

Ding Lei, also known as William Ding, is a renowned Chinese billionaire businessman, recognized as the founder and CEO of NetEase (163.com), one of China's leading internet technology companies.

What is Ding Lei's background in terms of education and early career?

Born on October 1, 1971, Ding Lei hails from Fenghua, Ningbo, in China's Zhejiang Province. He is an alumnus of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, holding a bachelor's degree. Before founding NetEase, Ding worked as an engineer in Ningbo's local state department, eventually moving to Guangzhou to work for Sybase.

How has Ding Lei diversified NetEase's business ventures?

Ding Lei has significantly diversified NetEase's operations by venturing into pork production in 2012, with a focus on employing technology and adhering to environmental sustainability practices.

Can you tell me about Ding Lei's real estate investment in Los Angeles?

Yes, in June 2020, Ding Lei made a notable real estate purchase, acquiring a 16,000-square-foot mansion in the affluent Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. He bought this property from Elon Musk for $29 million.
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