FX.co ★ Jack Ma: the richest man in Asia

The real name of the Chinese entrepreneur is Ma Yun. When he was just a boy, Ma firmly decided to learn English and for this purpose often communicated with English-speaking tourists, conducting free excursions. One day one of them suggested the future billionaire finding pen-pals in Europe, but with the condition that Ma will change his name to the European one. Ma Yun chose the name "Jack."

Jack was not a diligent student. Only after the third attempt, he entered the most ordinary two-year school in China. Ma chose the profession of an English teacher and after graduation was giving lessons in China.

When in September 2014, Ma placed shares of Alibaba on the New York Stock Exchange, the volume of funds raised was one of the largest in the entire world history of the markets.

Jack Ma is the first Chinese businessman to get on the cover of Forbes.

Today, the number of people who make transactions through the web portals of Alibaba is 300 million. "Our goal is to provide services for two billion consumers around the world," said Jack Ma.

Hollywood movies are one of the main sources of inspiration in the Ma's life. In an interview, he said: "I love Forrest Gump. A film about a simple ordinary guy who never gives up!"