Wahaha founder Zong dies aged 79
Print Edition
Zong Qinghou, the founder and chairman of Wahaha Group, China鈥檚 leading beverage maker, passed away yesterday, at age 79, due to an unspecified illness, the company announced.
Zong, a three-time topper of Forbes China鈥檚 mainland rich list, was a top entrepreneur in Zhejiang Province.
Born in 1945 in Jiangsu Province, Zong鈥檚 journey from a laborer on a farm to the helm of Wahaha is a representative tale of the first generation of entrepreneurs after the country鈥檚 reform and opening up.
After completing junior high school, he worked for 14 years at two farms. Returning to Hangzhou in 1978, he became a laborer at a box factory.
In 1987, at the age of 42, Zong borrowed 140,000 yuan (US$19,460) to start the precursor of Wahaha. The launch of the Wahaha children鈥檚 drink in 1988 brought him significant success.
Reflecting on his journey, Zong thanked the Party and the government for the opportunities, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurs contributing to societal well-being through taxes, employment, and charity.
Recognizing the pivotal phase of succession for many Zhejiang entrepreneurs, Zong had early plans for the transition. His only child Zong Fuli returned to China in 2004 after finishing her education abroad, establishing Hongsheng Beverage Group.
In 2018, she became the PR department director and currently serves as the vice chairman and general manager of Wahaha Group.
In 2023, Zong was ranked 31st on the Hurun China Rich List with a net worth of 95 billion yuan.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
