Who Is Masayoshi Son? Age, Biography and Wiki
Masayoshi Son, born on August 11, 1957, is a renowned Japanese entrepreneur and the founder of SoftBank Group Corp. As of 2025, Masayoshi will celebrate his 68th birthday. He is widely recognized for his visionary leadership and significant contributions to the tech industry. Renowned for making strategic investments, he has been instrumental in shaping some of the most impactful companies around the globe, driving innovation and growth within the technology sector.
| Occupation | Telecommunication |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 11, 1957 |
| Age | 67 Years |
| Birth Place | Tosu, Saga, Japan |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | Japan |
Popularity
Masayoshi Son's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific body measurements for Masayoshi Son are not widely publicized, he stands approximately at 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) tall. In 2025, details regarding his weight and overall physical fitness remain private, as is common for many high-profile business figures.
Masayoshi Son (,, born Masayoshi Yasumoto, ; August 11, 1957) is an entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist from Japan. A Zainichi Korean, he is the founder, representative director, corporate officer, chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group (SBG), a technology-focused investment holding company, as well as chairman of UK-based Arm Holdings and US-based Stargate LLC.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Masayoshi Son is married to his long-time wife, which he often keeps out of the public eye to protect their privacy. The couple has been together for several decades and shares a close-knit family. While there have been rumors in the past regarding his personal life, Masayoshi’s focus remains primarily on his business endeavors rather than romantic relationships outside of his marriage.
Son's grandfather, Son Jong-kyung a native of Daegu, moved to Japan during the Japanese colonial period where he worked as a miner. Son's father, Son Sam-heon, raised pigs and chickens, and illegally built the family home on land that was owned by the Japanese National Railways, which caused them trouble with the authorities.
His father started an illegal sake business that eventually became successful enough for his family to become the first people in town to own a car. His family eventually moved out of the neighborhood so that Son could attend a better school.
Throughout his childhood, Son's family refrained from using their Korean names, and at school Son was frequently bullied due to his Korean heritage, which made him suicidal.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Masayoshi Son's net worth is estimated to be around $20 billion. This wealth primarily stems from his successful investments through SoftBank, particularly in technology startups and artificial intelligence. His earnings are closely monitored due to his high-profile investments, including stakes in companies like Uber, Alibaba, and WeWork. Son's strategic foresight has positioned him among the wealthiest individuals in Japan and the world.
Career, Business and Investments
Masayoshi Son's career began in the 1980s, and he quickly rose to prominence with the establishment of SoftBank in 1981. Initially focused on software distribution, SoftBank evolved under his leadership into a global investment powerhouse.
In recent years, he has made headlines with SoftBank's Vision Fund, which has invested billions in tech companies worldwide. His unique approach to venture capital relies on deep research and long-term perspectives, allowing him to support and scale disruptive technologies. Despite facing challenges with some investments, Son's ability to adjust strategies and remain resilient continues to define his career.
As an entrepreneur, he achieved notability in PC software distribution, computing-related book and magazine publishing, and telecommunications in Japan, starting in the 1980s and booming throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
His early $20 million investment in Alibaba Group in 2000 grew substantially over the years, reaching a valuation of around $75 billion by 2014 following Alibaba's IPO and contributing significantly to SoftBank's financial success.
SoftBank's 27 percent stake in Alibaba was worth $132 billion in 2018, including additional purchases of the stock since 2000. The morphing of his own telecom company SoftBank Corp. into an investment management firm called SoftBank Group Corp. made him noted worldwide as a stock investor.
He is known for his bold investment strategies, sometimes resulting in major losses, particularly with the first and second SoftBank Vision Funds.
Social Network
Masayoshi Son is not as active on social media as some contemporary entrepreneurs, but he does maintain a presence on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. He uses these platforms to share insights about technology, investment trends, and his vision for the future. While he doesn't frequently engage with the press, his occasional public appearances and statements generate substantial media coverage, indicating his prominence in the business community.
Son was an early investor in internet firms, buying a share of Yahoo! in 1995 and investing a $20 million stake into Alibaba in 1999; he was briefly the richest person in the world before the stock market crashed. Son's holding company SoftBank owned 29.5% of Alibaba, which was worth around $108.7 billion as of 23 October 2018.
Although SoftBank's stake in Yahoo! had dwindled to 7%, Son established Yahoo! BroadBand in September 2001 with Yahoo! Japan in which he still owned a controlling interest. After a severe devaluation of SoftBank's equity, Son was forced to focus his attention on Yahoo! BB and BB Phone. So far, SoftBank has accumulated about $1.3 billion in debt.
Yet, Yahoo! BB acquired Japan Telecom, the then third largest broadband and landline provider with 600,000 residential and 170,000 commercial subscribers. Yahoo! BB is now Japan's leading broadband provider. In June 2020, Son stepped down from the Alibaba board. By 2023, SoftBank had sold most of its Alibaba stake.
Education
Masayoshi Son attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a degree in Economics. His academic background has played a fundamental role in shaping his analytical approach to business and investment strategy. He has often emphasized the importance of education and continuous learning in his interviews, inspiring aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.
Following his decision to study in the United States, Son decided to introduce himself by his Korean surname for professional purposes instead of his family's Japanese surname. For this action and other similar ones, Son is considered to be a role model for ethnic Korean children in Japan.
