The founder and chairman of Alibaba – the Chinese e-market – has retired at the age of 55.
The charismatic former English teacher, who founded the internet company 20 years ago in a shared apartment, is stepping aside from the day-to-day running of the business to spend more time on his other great loves in life – his philanthropic works, education and his family.
Ma, as China’s richest man, does not have to worry about paying the bills.
According to the last estimate by Forbes, he has a net worth of $38.4bn (£31.1bn) thanks to the phenomenal success of Alibaba, though the changing of the guard at the top has investors in the US-listed firm worried.

At a time of slowing domestic sales amid the US-China trade war, Alibaba will be run solely by Daniel Zhang whose appointment was announced last year as part of a succession plan.
Ma said of him: “He has the logic and critical thinking skills of a super computer, a commitment to his vision, the courage to wholeheartedly dare to take on innovative business models and industries of the future.”
He has little of the charisma of Ma – known for a flamboyant approach to get attention.