Sri Krishna
Masayoshi Son, a name that once eclipsed the likes of Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Mukesh Ambani, and Gautam Adani, was at one point the richest person in the world. His fortune, however, took a dramatic hit, shrinking by a staggering Rs 5,85,617.5 crore. Today, Son’s net worth is estimated at around $23 billion, a figure dwarfed by Mukesh Ambani’s $92 billion and Gautam Adani’s $50 billion.
Son is the founder, chairman, and CEO of SoftBank Group, a global investment holding company. Under his leadership, SoftBank made massive investments in Indian startups like Ola, Oyo, and Paytm, among others. He also manages the Vision Fund, which has drawn investments from major players such as Apple, Qualcomm, Foxconn, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Journey to Success
- Rise and Fall of the World’s Richest Man
- The Legacy of Masayoshi Son
Early Life and Journey to Success
Born in Japan to a third-generation Zainichi Korean family, Masayoshi Son’s childhood was far from typical. His father was involved in illegal activities, and despite these humble beginnings, the family was the first in their town to own a car. After completing his early education in Japan, Son moved to the United States to continue his studies.
Son graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1980 with a degree in Economics. Shortly after, he started a video game company called Unison World, which he sold for about $2 million. Armed with this capital, he founded SoftBank in 1981, beginning his journey to the top of the business world.
Rise and Fall of the World’s Richest Man
Son’s early investments in companies like Yahoo and Alibaba proved to be exceptionally successful, catapulting him to the pinnacle of global wealth. At his peak, Son’s fortune soared to $78 billion (approximately Rs 5,85,617.5 crore). However, his status as the world’s richest man was short-lived. A stock market crash caused his net worth to plummet, falling to just $8 billion almost overnight.
While many of his investments have struggled, Son has shown resilience and regained a portion of his lost fortune. One of his key moves was the acquisition of Vodafone Japan in 2006, which played a significant role in restoring his wealth. As of today, Son’s net worth is estimated to be $23 billion.
The Legacy of Masayoshi Son
Despite the ups and downs in his financial journey, Masayoshi Son remains a prominent figure in the world of business and investment. His visionary approach, especially through SoftBank and its Vision Fund, has influenced the technology and startup landscapes globally. From humble beginnings to becoming one of Japan’s wealthiest individuals, Son’s story is a testament to the highs and lows of fortune in the world of tech and finance.
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