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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Money & Work • E-Commerce

Jack Ma

Jack Ma is a Chinese businessman, investor, and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Alibaba Group and the Jack Ma Foundation.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Jack Ma is a Chinese businessman and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Alibaba Group. He became one of China's most prominent internet entrepreneurs before stepping back from public view after 2020.

What it is

Jack Ma is the co-founder of Alibaba Group, a major Chinese e-commerce company. He also founded the Jack Ma Foundation and has been a prominent figure in global internet entrepreneurship.

Why it matters

Ma's rise and later retreat from public view highlight the interplay between business and regulation in China. For Canadian readers, Alibaba's growth influenced global e-commerce and trade dynamics that affect Canadian businesses and consumers.

Key details

Born in Hangzhou in 1964, Ma studied English and worked as a teacher before founding Alibaba in 1999. After 2020, he faced scrutiny for criticizing financial regulators and has since maintained a lower profile, though he has been seen publicly as recently as 2025.

In short

  • Co-founded Alibaba Group, one of China's largest e-commerce companies.
  • Born in Hangzhou, China, in 1964; studied English at Hangzhou Teachers Institute.
  • Stepped back from Alibaba leadership after 2020 following criticism of financial regulators.
  • Remains alive and has made public appearances in 2023 and 2025.
Canadian angle

Jack Ma is relevant to Canadian readers through global e-commerce, technology investment, and international business coverage. Alibaba’s rise affected online retail and China-focused trade discussions that matter to Canadian consumers and businesses.

Quick questions

Who is Jack Ma?
Jack Ma is a Chinese businessman and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Alibaba Group.
Why did Jack Ma disappear?
He largely retreated from public view after 2020, following criticism of Chinese financial regulators and the subsequent regulatory crackdown on Ant Group and related businesses.
Is Jack Ma still alive?
Yes. Recent reports from 2023 and 2025 describe public appearances by Jack Ma.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Ma
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, co-founding Alibaba, philanthropy, and approximate net worth.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/money/Jack-Ma
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, occupation, and Alibaba biography.
  3. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49644025
    Supports: Retirement from Alibaba leadership, background as a teacher, and focus on philanthropy and education.
  4. BBC Business Daily — https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/w3ct317d
    Supports: Low public profile since the Ant Group regulatory suspension and later control changes.
  5. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-65084344
    Supports: Public sighting in 2023 after a long absence and explanation of his low profile.
  6. The University of Hong Kong — https://www.hku.hk/hongrads/graduates/dr-jack-ma-jack-ma-yun
    Supports: Education at Hangzhou Teachers Institute and BA in English language education.
  7. Forbes — https://www.forbes.com/profile/jack-ma/
    Supports: Wealth profile and net worth estimates over time.