Name: Zhang Yiming
Net worth: $49.3 billion Executive pay: $ 11 Billion
Company: ByteDance (TikTok)
Founder and Former CEO, ByteDance (TikTok)
The visionary behind ByteDance, has transformed digital content with TikTok, now one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. His strategic focus on AI-driven, personalized content has shaped ByteDance into a global tech giant. Zhang’s success has propelled him to the top of China’s rich list, with a net worth of $49.3 billion, thanks to ByteDance’s 60% profit growth despite regulatory pressures. Although he stepped down in 2021, his influence on the digital world endures, securing his place as an influential leader in tech.
Reports indicate he has been quietly involved in strategic discussions surrounding a potential U.S. buyout of TikTok, where ByteDance could retain a minority stake. Meanwhile, ByteDance has announced major AI infrastructure investments, allocating over $12 billion toward AI chip development and next-generation computing—initiatives reflecting Zhang’s enduring vision. The company also unveiled OmniHuman-1, an AI system that generates lifelike video from still images, further underscoring his legacy of pushing the boundaries of digital media.
