Zhang Zhidong co-founded Tencent in 1998 and spent more than fifteen years as its chief technology officer, building the technical organization behind one of China's largest internet companies. [1][2]
Tencent was the fortune-creating company
Tencent identifies Zhang Zhidong, also known as Tony Zhang, as a co-founder of the company in 1998. Forbes likewise ties his billionaire wealth to the internet company he helped create rather than to an inherited operating business. [1][2]
Tencent says Zhang served as chief technology officer until 2014. In that role he oversaw development of the company's proprietary technologies and built and led its technical team during the years when Tencent scaled from a startup into a major internet platform. [1]
His education in computer science and computer applications preceded the founding of Tencent, according to the company. The reviewed record therefore connects his starting position to technical training and founder work rather than inherited enterprise ownership. [1]
Founder ownership continued after his operating role changed
Forbes continues to identify Zhang's source of wealth as online games and describes him as a Tencent co-founder. His personal fortune is therefore economically linked to the value created by the company he helped establish and build. [2]
After stepping down from the chief technology officer role in 2014, Zhang remained connected to Tencent as advisor emeritus and honorary dean of Tencent Academy. The reviewed evidence supports a primarily self-created founder fortune with long-running technical leadership. [1][2]
Sources for background
Sources reviewed Sep 22, 2026.
- ZHANG Zhidong (Tony Zhang) · Tencent
- Zhang Zhidong · Forbes · Mar 10, 2026
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