Zong Qinghou, China’s drinks mogul, died

Zong Qinghou, the self-made drinks billionaire who once became the country’s richest man, has passed away on Sunday at age 79 after ineffective treatment of an unnamed illness.

Named one of China’s richest drinks moguls, Zong is a representative of China’s rags-to-riches stories. For someone who only started his business at age 42, he was named China’s richest man three times in 2010, 2012 and 2013. His fortune was estimated at US$8.3 billion by Forbes.

A legendary entrepreneur in China who has never went to high school, Zong took a RMB 140,000 loan (US$21,000) in 1987 with two other retired teachers and started renting a shop within a school premise to sell soft drinks, popsicles and stationaries. From there, he went on to create a behemoth drinks company Wahaha Group and found its success from Children’s nutritional drinks to bottled waters. 

In 2013, Zong expanded his soft drinks business to include clothing, retail and alcoholic beverages including wine and baijiu. Wahaha launched its self-branded wines via its shopping mall WAOW. Shortly, it unveiled its baijiu line.

At the time, China’s luxury baijiu market took a heavy hit thanks to the anti-corruption clampdown, Zong invested RMB 15 billion into creating a Lingjiang baijiu brand. Unfortunately, the brand did not take off and was subsequently sold.

In 2022, it again geared for a second try with a luxury baijiu brand called Songshuaijia Jiangjiu that retails for over RMB 1300 (US$194) a bottle.

Known for his hands-on approach in company management, Zong famously did not appoint any deputies and served as both Chairman and General Manager of the company, lending him sometimes the unflattering nickname of “dictator”. One former employee remembers him approving all company expenses, even including purchase of a broom.  

His promised handover to his only daughter Kelly Zong came six years after his 70th birthday when he named her Vice Chairman and General Manager of the group. 

Outside of work, Zong says his only hobbies are drinking tea and smoking cigarettes. He’s also known for his frugal lifestyle. He reportedly wouldn’t buy new shoes until they are worn out.

His only daughter Zong Fuli or Kelly has taken over his responsibilities.