Ma is a global ambassador for Chinese business and is often listed as one of the world's most powerful people, with Forbes ranking him 21st on its "World's Most Powerful People" list.[4] He also serves as a role model for startup businesses.[5] In 2017, Ma was ranked second in the annual "World's 50 Greatest Leaders" list by Fortune.[6] In September 2018, he announced that he would retire from Alibaba and pursue educational work, philanthropy, and environmental causes;[7][8][9][10] the following year, Daniel Zhang succeeded him as executive chairman.[11]
As of 29 July 2020, with a net worth of $48.2 billion, Ma is the second-wealthiest person in China (after Ma Huateng), as well as one of the wealthiest people in the world, ranked 20th by Forbes.[12] In 2019, Forbes named Ma in its list of "Asia's 2019 Heroes of Philanthropy" for his work supporting underprivileged communities in China, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East.
