Masayoshi Son: Net Worth, Biography, Height, Weight, News, Affairs, and More – A Detailed Guide

Masayoshi Son: Net Worth, Biography, Height, Weight, News, Affairs, and More – A Detailed Guide

Masayoshi Son is one of the most influential and successful entrepreneurs in the world. Known primarily for founding SoftBank, one of Japan's largest and most diverse conglomerates, Son has made a significant impact on global technology, investment, and telecommunications sectors. His remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the wealthiest individuals globally is filled with visionary thinking, high-risk investments, and undeniable entrepreneurial spirit. In this article, we will explore Masayoshi Son’s net worth, biography, height, weight, personal life, latest news, and controversies, providing an in-depth understanding of the man who revolutionized the tech industry.

Early Life and Background

Masayoshi Son was born on August 11, 1957, in Tosu, Saga Prefecture, Japan, into a Korean-Japanese family. His parents had migrated from Korea to Japan, which made him a member of the Korean minority in Japan. His childhood was marked by challenges and determination, as he experienced a sense of being an outsider due to his heritage. However, Son was highly motivated and sought to overcome these barriers.

At the age of 16, Masayoshi Son moved to the United States to pursue higher education. He enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied economics. During his time in the U.S., Son showed a keen interest in technology and business. In fact, it was during his time at Berkeley that he developed his passion for Silicon Valley’s technology scene, which would later influence his business decisions. He graduated with a degree in economics but never looked back as he began to develop his entrepreneurial ventures.

The Genesis of SoftBank

After completing his studies in the U.S., Masayoshi Son returned to Japan and began pursuing his entrepreneurial dreams. In 1981, he founded SoftBank, a company initially created as a software distributor for personal computers. In the early days, SoftBank’s focus was on providing software for microcomputers, and the company achieved initial success in this niche.

However, Masayoshi Son’s vision extended far beyond software distribution. His keen interest in the evolving world of technology led him to explore the global potential of the internet and telecommunications. Over time, SoftBank expanded into telecommunications, internet services, and various high-tech sectors. Son’s big break came in the late 1990s when he started focusing heavily on the growing internet boom in Japan.

SoftBank’s most significant investment came in 2000 when Son made a bold move to purchase a large stake in Alibaba Group, China’s then-unknown e-commerce company. This investment turned out to be a game-changer. Alibaba’s rise to global prominence transformed SoftBank into a global tech giant. The Alibaba stake alone added billions to Son’s net worth, setting him up as one of the world’s most influential investors.

Masayoshi Son’s Net Worth

Masayoshi Son’s fortune has seen tremendous growth due to his investments and leadership at SoftBank. His primary source of wealth is SoftBank, which has stakes in a diverse range of companies, from telecommunications and media to technology and finance. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is around $30 billion. This wealth places him among the top billionaires in Japan and on the global stage.

The key to Son’s vast wealth lies in his ability to invest in transformative technologies early. His long-term commitment to companies like Alibaba, ARM Holdings, WeWork, and Sprint Corporation has resulted in astronomical returns. Notably, his early stake in Alibaba skyrocketed in value as the company went public in 2014. Today, SoftBank holds significant shares in global tech giants and emerging startups, thanks to Son’s aggressive investment strategies.

However, Son’s wealth isn’t entirely without risk. Some of his investments, particularly in companies like WeWork and Uber, have faced difficulties and challenges, which has led to a fluctuating net worth. Despite these ups and downs, Son’s net worth continues to remain high, driven by his continued influence in the global tech ecosystem.

Masayoshi Son’s Height and Weight

Masayoshi Son’s physical appearance contrasts with his larger-than-life persona in the business world. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm), Son is of average height for a Japanese man. He weighs around 160 pounds (73 kg), maintaining a healthy physique. His appearance is relatively understated, and he is rarely seen flaunting his wealth in his personal life.

Unlike many billionaires who make headlines for their extravagant lifestyles, Masayoshi Son is known for dressing modestly and leading a relatively private life. His public appearances are typically centered on his business activities and investment ventures. Son's unassuming presence and focus on work rather than personal glamour have contributed to his reputation as a down-to-earth and hardworking entrepreneur.

Masayoshi Son’s Personal Life: Affairs, Family, and Relationships

While Masayoshi Son is a global business icon, his personal life has remained relatively private. He has always kept his family life out of the public eye, focusing more on his professional endeavors than on cultivating a celebrity-like profile. Despite his status as a billionaire, Son has not indulged in the lavish lifestyles associated with many of the world’s wealthiest individuals.

Masayoshi Son is married to his long-time wife, Keiko Son, with whom he has two children. The couple has been together for many years, and their relationship has remained relatively low-profile. Son has often expressed his deep devotion to his family and values his personal relationships, especially with his wife and children.

Son’s commitment to family and his private nature have led to limited media coverage of his personal life. Unlike many other billionaires, Son does not have a public history of affairs or scandals. His focus has been on creating a legacy through his work, and he has consistently kept his private life out of the limelight.

Masayoshi Son’s Leadership and Management Style

Masayoshi Son is known for his visionary and sometimes unorthodox approach to leadership. His leadership style is defined by a willingness to take risks, innovate, and invest in emerging technologies that others might overlook. One of his most notable characteristics is his ability to make huge bets on the future of technology. For instance, Son’s investment in Alibaba in 2000 is widely regarded as one of the smartest moves in the history of venture capital.

Son is also a strong believer in the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and has expressed his conviction that AI will change the world in the coming decades. His investments through SoftBank’s Vision Fund, which has become one of the world’s largest technology investment funds, reflect his focus on next-generation technologies such as AI, robotics, and the internet of things (IoT).

Despite being a risk-taker, Son’s leadership hasn’t been without criticism. His approach to investment has sometimes resulted in controversial decisions, such as his backing of WeWork and the Vision Fund’s large-scale investments in companies with uncertain futures. Critics have argued that his strategy can sometimes be too aggressive, and some of his companies have faced difficulties as a result. However, Son’s resilience and ability to adapt have helped him weather these challenges and maintain his position as one of the world’s leading investors.

Controversies and Criticism

Like many successful entrepreneurs, Masayoshi Son’s career hasn’t been without controversy. Some of his investments have resulted in significant losses, and critics have pointed to these ventures as evidence of overly ambitious risk-taking.

One of the most publicized controversies was the WeWork debacle. WeWork, a co-working space provider, was valued at $47 billion in 2019, largely due to SoftBank’s backing. However, the company’s IPO was a failure, and its valuation plummeted dramatically. Many analysts and critics pointed to Son’s blind faith in WeWork’s founder, Adam Neumann, as a factor that led to the company’s downfall. In the aftermath of WeWork’s collapse, SoftBank faced billions of dollars in losses.

Despite these setbacks, Son has maintained his position as a visionary investor. He has continually defended his approach to investment, emphasizing that bold risks are sometimes necessary to secure long-term rewards. His confidence in technology and AI remains unwavering, and he continues to invest in startups that have the potential to revolutionize industries.

Latest News: Masayoshi Son’s Vision for the Future

As of 2025, Masayoshi Son remains an active and influential figure in the tech world. His most recent ventures have focused on expanding SoftBank’s influence in artificial intelligence and robotics. Son has spoken publicly about his belief that AI will transform the way we live, work, and interact with the world.

One of SoftBank’s flagship projects in this area is its investment in SoftBank Robotics, a company that is developing robots designed for both business and personal use. SoftBank Robotics’ Pepper robot, which can interact with humans, is one of the most prominent examples of the company’s push into the robotics space.

Additionally, SoftBank’s Vision Fund continues to back emerging tech startups, particularly in the fields of AI, healthcare, and autonomous driving. Son’s latest endeavors reflect his commitment to staying ahead of the curve in technology, and his belief that these innovations will shape the future.

Conclusion

Masayoshi Son’s remarkable career is a testament to his visionary thinking, risk-taking, and ability to see opportunities where others may not. From his early days as a software distributor to his current position as the leader of SoftBank, Son has built a legacy as one of the most influential figures in global technology and investment. With a net worth of $30 billion and a track record of groundbreaking investments, Masayoshi Son’s story continues to inspire entrepreneurs and investors around the world.

Despite controversies and setbacks, Masayoshi Son’s commitment to shaping the future of technology remains unwavering. As SoftBank’s investments continue to evolve, Son will undoubtedly play a key role in the future of global business. Keep an eye on this visionary entrepreneur, as his impact on the world of technology and investment is far from over.