Origins & Early Life

Ma Huateng, also known as Pony Ma, (Chinese: 马化腾; pinyin: Mǎ Huàténg, born October 29, 1971) is a Chinese businessman. He is the co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Tencent, a Shenzhen-based conglomerate in technology, gaming, entertainment, and financial services. In 2007, 2014, and 2018, Time magazine named him one of the world's most influential people, while in 2015, Forbes credited him as one of the world's most powerful people. In 2017, Fortune ranked him as among the top businessmen of the year.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Ma was a deputy to the Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress and a delegate in the 12th National People's Congress. As of November 2025, Ma has a net worth of US$63 billion according to Forbes. Ma was born in Chaoyang, Shantou, Guangdong. When his father, Ma Chenshu (马陈术), got a job as a port manager in Shenzhen, the young Ma accompanied him. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Applied Engineering from Shenzhen University in 1993.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Ma's first job was with China Motion Telecom Development, a supplier of telecommunications services and products, where he was in charge...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adriano Giannini — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Italian actor known for dubbing and roles in film and television.
• Alison Krauss — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Esteemed American bluegrass singer and musician known for her vibrant career.
• Bennett Cerf — Contemporary (Died in 1971) (1971): American publisher, author, and co-founder of Random House.
• A. J. Ayer — Shared historical date (10-29 · Born) (1910): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Dominick Dunne — Shared historical date (10-29 · Born) (1925): American writer and journalist known for high society crime fiction.
• Benny Boom — Historical peer (Born in 1971) (1971): American director known for music videos and the film All Eyez on Me.
• Binyavanga Wainaina — Historical peer (Born in 1971) (1971): Pioneering Kenyan author, journalist, and founding editor of Kwani?
• Albert Ellis — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Pioneering figure in psychotherapy, founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
• Alfred Peet — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Dutch-American founder credited with starting the US specialty coffee revolution.
• 2014 League of Legends World Championship — Historical peer (Born in 2014) (2014): The 4th League of Legends World Championship, held in Asia in 2014.
• 1971 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1971
• October 29 (10-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 29