Zhang Xin

BIO:

• Name: Zhang Xin
• Title/Position: Co-Founder and Former CEO of SOHO China; Founder of Closer Media
• Industry:Real Estate Development, Media
• Location:  Beijing, China; New York City, USA
• Age: 1965
• Net Worth: Approximately $1.2 billion as of 2024

Image credit: Zhang Xin 2019 Interview Documentary by Zhangxin4sogou is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Zhang Xin’s Story

Known as the “woman who built Beijing,” Zhang Xin’s early life was marked by humble beginnings. During the Cultural Revolution, her parents, who worked as translators, separated, leading Zhang and her mother to relocate from a then-communist and beige Beijing to a colorful and vibrant Hong Kong. Zhang worked in factories for five years, moving around to make extra money. Even though her work was hard and unglamorous, Zhang found Hong Kong liberating.

Hong Kong being a British colony at the time meant Zhang had the chance to move to the U.K. to study economics.  She furthered her studies with a master’s in development economics from the University of Cambridge in 1992. She then went to work for Goldman Sachs in London, before stints in Hong Kong and New York City. But, she felt a strong desire to return to China and make something happen. She then met and married Pan Shiyi, cementing her return. 

Together, they co-founded Hongshi, later renamed SOHO China, in 1995. The company rapidly became one of China’s largest real estate developers, known for its innovative and modern architectural designs that transformed Beijing and Shanghai’s skylines. 

Zhang’s specialty was designing products, designing buildings, and partnering with renowned archtectichts. Particularly, Commune by the Great Wall, a sequence of villas (now a boutique hotel) in a valley next to a section of the Chinese landmark where she sent letters to 12 emerging architects from Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and China. Her collaboration resulted in an award-winning design.

Today, she is one of China’s most famous female entrepreneurs and one of the most inspiring women in business. Zhang’s journey from factory floors to billionaire exemplifies resilience, creativity, and vision. 

Career Highlights

Key Milestones:

• 1995: Co-founded Hongshi, which later became SOHO China, marking the beginning of a transformative era in Chinese real estate.
• 2007: Led SOHO China’s initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising significant capital for expansion.
• 2011: Expanded internationally by acquiring a stake in New York City’s Park Avenue Plaza for $600 million.
• 2014: Purchased a 40% stake in Manhattan’s General Motors Building, further cementing her status in global real estate.
• 2022: Stepped down as CEO of SOHO China to focus on philanthropic endeavors and the arts. 

Achievements:

• Transformed SOHO China into one of the nation’s largest prime office property developers, with over 60 million square feet of projects in Beijing and Shanghai.
  
• Recognized as the “woman who built Beijing,” highlighting her influence in modernizing the city’s architectural landscape.
  
• Consistently featured in Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful women, reflecting her impact and leadership in the industry.
  
• Established the SOHO China Foundation in 2005, focusing on educational initiatives to alleviate poverty. ci
  
• Launched the SOHO China Scholarships in 2014, a $100 million initiative to support underprivileged Chinese students at top global universities.
  

Zhang Xin’s Net Worth

Zhang Xin’s wealth primarily stems from her ventures in real estate development. As co-founder and former CEO of SOHO China, she played a pivotal role in developing prime office properties in major Chinese cities. Her strategic investments, including stakes in prominent New York properties like the Park Avenue Plaza and the General Motors Building, have significantly contributed to her net worth. As of 2024, her estimated net worth is approximately $1.2 billion. 

Zhang Xin in the News

• 2022: Zhang Xin stepped down as CEO of SOHO China to dedicate more time to philanthropic pursuits and support for the arts. citeturn0search0
  
• 2021: SOHO China was involved in acquisition talks with Blackstone Group, highlighting the company’s significant position in the real estate market.
  
• 2014: Launched the SOHO China Scholarships, a $100 million initiative aimed at supporting underprivileged Chinese students at leading international universities.
  

Quotes by Zhang Xin

• “Where other people see risk, all I see is excitement.”
  
• “I think women of our generation went through Cultural Revolution, went through hardship, coming from nowhere, and suddenly see China’s amazing opportunity. So women just seized the opportunity.”
  

FAQs: Most Asked Questions About Zhang Xin