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Masayoshi Son
#99Top 100 Richest People in the World

Masayoshi Son Net Worth

$10B

2026 estimate · Source: SoftBank · Japan

Net Worth

$10B

Global Rank

#99

Source

SoftBank

Country

Japan

$How Masayoshi Son Built Their Fortune

Masayoshi Son is the founder, chairman, and CEO of SoftBank Group, one of the world's most influential technology investment companies, and a visionary whose bold bets on the future of technology have reshaped entire industries. His audacious investment style, willingness to think in 300-year timeframes, and genuine belief that technology will solve humanity's greatest challenges have made him one of the most fascinating and impactful business leaders of the modern era. From his early investment in Alibaba to the creation of the Vision Fund, Son has consistently demonstrated an ability to see the future before others.

Born in Japan to ethnic Korean parents, Son overcame significant social challenges to become one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs. He moved to the United States at age 16, studied at UC Berkeley, and was deeply inspired by the potential of microprocessors after reading about them in a magazine. He returned to Japan and founded SoftBank in 1981, initially as a software distribution company. Through relentless ambition and an extraordinary ability to identify transformative technology trends, he built SoftBank into a global technology conglomerate with investments in hundreds of the world's most innovative companies.

Son's $20 million investment in Alibaba in 2000 — which grew to be worth over $100 billion — stands as one of the most successful venture investments in history. His creation of the $100 billion Vision Fund in 2017 was equally audacious, establishing the largest technology investment fund ever assembled and providing capital to hundreds of ambitious startups working on artificial intelligence, transportation, healthcare, and other frontier technologies. Son's unwavering optimism about technology's potential to improve human life and his willingness to make massive bets on that belief have made him a singular figure in global business.

vs$10B in Perspective

To put Masayoshi Son's $10B fortune into context, here's what that wealth could buy:

168,395

Median U.S. household incomes

At $59,384/year

23,809

Median U.S. homes

At $420,000 each

256,476

Tesla Model 3s

At $38,990 each

92,592

Four-year college degrees

At $108,000 average

2

NFL franchises

At $4.7B average

666

Private islands

At $15,000,000 each

Key Wealth Milestones

1981

Founded SoftBank in Tokyo as a software distribution company, beginning a four-decade journey of building one of the world's most influential technology conglomerates.

1996

Invested $100 million in Yahoo, marking SoftBank's entry into internet investing and establishing a partnership that created Yahoo Japan.

2000

Made the legendary $20 million investment in Alibaba after a brief meeting with Jack Ma, trusting his instinct about the founder and the opportunity in Chinese e-commerce.

2016

Acquired ARM Holdings for $32 billion, positioning SoftBank at the center of the global semiconductor ecosystem powering mobile and IoT devices.

2017

Launched the $100 billion SoftBank Vision Fund, the largest technology investment fund in history, with backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and others.

Where Masayoshi Son Ranks

Global Rank#99

Top 41% of the world's wealthiest · 167 tracked

Nearest by Rank

Richest People in Japan

Masayoshi Son on Wealth & Success

I am not a genius. I just work very, very hard. And I have vision — I think about the next 30 years, the next 300 years.
In 30 years, artificial intelligence will have an IQ of 10,000. I believe this will be the biggest revolution in human history.
I invest in people who have a big vision and the capability to execute. The most important thing is the entrepreneur.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Masayoshi Son's net worth in 2026?
Masayoshi Son's estimated net worth is $10B as of 2026, making them the #99 richest person in the world.
How did Masayoshi Son make their money?
Masayoshi Son built their fortune through SoftBank. Founded SoftBank in Tokyo as a software distribution company, beginning a four-decade journey of building one of the world's most influential technology conglomerates.
Where does Masayoshi Son rank among the world's richest?
Masayoshi Son is ranked #99 on the global billionaires list, placing them in the top 100 richest people in the world.
What country is Masayoshi Son from?
Masayoshi Son is from Japan.
How does Masayoshi Son's wealth compare to everyday life?
Masayoshi Son's $10B could buy approximately 23,809 median U.S. homes or fund 92,592 four-year college degrees.

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AI-Generated ContentThis profile was created using AI and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, details may contain errors or be outdated. Quotes may be paraphrased or taken out of context. Achievements and figures are based on public reporting and may not be precise. This profile does not imply endorsement by the individual featured. Not financial advice.