Lei Jun – Personal and Financial Profile
Category | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Lei Jun |
Date of Birth | December 16, 1969 |
Age | 55 |
Nationality | Chinese |
Current Role | Founder & CEO, Xiaomi |
Other Roles | Chairman of Kingsoft, Shunwei Capital |
Spouse | Zhang Tong |
Children | 2 |
Education | Bachelor of Engineering, Wuhan University |
Known For | Founding Xiaomi, referred to as “China’s Steve Jobs” |
Net Worth (2025) | $46.6 billion (Forbes estimate) |
Reference | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lei_Jun |
Lei Jun’s financial success has emerged as one of the tech industry’s most remarkable stories in recent months. Given Xiaomi’s exceptionally rapid valuation growth, his estimated net worth as of mid-2025 has increased to an astounding $46.6 billion. Significantly successful strategic choices, particularly in the area of electric vehicles, have quickly raised his financial trajectory.
Lei’s wealth was just under $11 billion not long ago. Then came the boom, which was fueled by investors’ faith in Xiaomi’s latest project, the SU7, a stylish electric car that quickly gained popularity, as well as the company’s dominance in smartphones. The reaction to the March 2024 official launch was prompt and persistent. In record time, pre-orders topped 100,000, signaling a shift in Lei Jun’s personal stake and Xiaomi’s brand identity.
Similar to Apple, but based in more cost-conscious markets, Xiaomi has produced an exceptionally sticky product environment by fusing hardware innovation with a smooth user ecosystem. With this action, Xiaomi has positioned itself as a high-efficiency competitor in smartphones and, more recently, EVs, greatly lowering barriers for consumers in Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
Unlike more flamboyant business magnates like Jack Ma or Elon Musk, Lei Jun has a more subtle approach. His attire is subdued, and his speeches are measured. Beneath that serene exterior, however, lies a man who has outpaced giants in the last ten years. It wasn’t a coincidence when Xiaomi’s stock increased 250% in a year; rather, it was the consequence of well-thought-out choices and remarkably adaptable leadership.
Although flattering, the term “Steve Jobs of China” ignores the nuanced aspects of his career path. Lei’s story started out modestly—his father was a teacher who made only $7 a month, and in his free time, young Lei would disassemble radios. An engineering degree from Wuhan University and a career that started at Kingsoft before veering into entrepreneurship were the results of this early curiosity.
He founded joyo.com in 2000 and sold it to Amazon for $75 million. Although this seemed like a small move at the time, it was a very obvious example of his ability to predict changes in the market. He later established Shunwei Capital to make investments in new businesses. Some of China’s fastest-growing platforms, such as YY and UCWeb, were seeded by this choice.
Lei established Xiaomi in 2010, placing himself at the forefront of innovation in consumer technology. Xiaomi, which was first chastised for undercutting rivals on price, expanded quickly by providing high-end devices at surprisingly low prices. This model changed over time. Xiaomi now caters to premium markets that value design, quality, and integration in addition to budget consumers.

Lei’s choice to steer Xiaomi into smart mobility has been especially creative in light of the growing competition for EVs. He personally oversaw the project and announced a $10 billion investment while competitors were wary. The tone of the tech media landscape had already started to change by the time the SU7 made its debut. Lei had evolved into a mobility visionary and was no longer just the phone guy.
Lei’s charitable endeavors are extensive and have a significant influence outside of the business world. He gave more than $1 billion to charity by 2017, including a recent donation of $182 million to Wuhan University. This donation, which is still the biggest one a Chinese university has ever received from an individual, demonstrates a remarkably giving nature that is frequently lacking in billionaire biographies.
By means of strategic alliances and an unwavering dedication to advancement, Lei Jun has significantly enhanced Xiaomi’s reputation. Competitors receive a powerful signal from the company’s ranking as the youngest Fortune Global 500 brand. Other tech founders have been impacted by recent regulatory tensions in China, but Lei has navigated political relationships with great efficiency and minimal risk.
Lei’s fortune is anticipated to increase in the upcoming years as Xiaomi increases its investments in artificial intelligence, smart devices, and autonomous mobility. It is thought to be extremely uncommon for him to remain grounded while scaling new verticals. Even though Ma Huateng and Zhang Yiming make the most news, Lei’s gradual ascent might end up being more long-lasting.
As his narrative progresses, Lei Jun represents an inspiring yet achievable definition of success. His strategy streamlines operations and frees up talent to innovate across industries by combining long-term vision with calculated risk. He is more than just a case study for aspiring business owners; he is an inspiring example of what happens when timing and perseverance come together.