Skip to content
Subscribe
Billionaire Profile
David Xueling Li
Global Rank
#2289

David Xueling Li

CEO, Live streaming services
Singapore
Real-Time Net Worth
$1.84B
Estimated based on Live streaming services stock value as of September 10, 2026
-0.64% (24h)
Age
53
Source
Live streaming service
Industry
Technology
Citizenship
China

Biography

David Xueling Li is a prominent Chinese entrepreneur and billionaire, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of JOYY Inc. (formerly YY Inc.), a global social media company. His vision propelled the company from its origins in online gaming to a leading live-streaming and short-form video platform with a substantial international presence. Li's career includes key roles as the former chief editor at Netease.com and founder of CFP.cn, a copyright trading platform. He is recognized as a pioneer in China's live-streaming industry, with consistent recognition from Forbes as a billionaire.

AI-Assisted Draft
Not yet reviewed by an editor — how we work
Data Updated
Sep 10, 2026
Report a Correction

Wealth Over Time

Net Worth History

YearNet Worth
2026$1.84B
2025$1.40B
2024$1.40B

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

David Xueling Li's journey began in China, where he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Renmin University of China in 1997. Before entering the technology sector, Li gained experience as a journalist and editor.

Rise to Success

Li's career took a significant turn in 2005 when he founded YY Inc., initially a voice communication platform for gamers. This venture became a leader in the live-streaming industry. Under Li's leadership, the company launched its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the NASDAQ in November 2012. Li also spearheaded the global expansion of JOYY, enhancing its international reach and market presence.

Key Business Strategies

A key business strategy was the development and implementation of a virtual item-based monetization model in live-streaming. In 2019, the company rebranded to JOYY Inc. to reflect its global expansion. Further strategic moves include the sale of YY Live to Baidu in 2021 for approximately $2.1 billion.

Philanthropy

Specific philanthropy amounts were not available in the search results. However, the company showed a commitment to shareholder returns.

Career Milestones

2000

Founded CFP.cn

Founded a copyright trading platform for journalists and amateur photographers.

2003

Chief Editor at Netease.com

Served as Chief Editor at Chinese news portal Netease.com.

2005

Founded YY Inc. (JOYY Inc.)

Founded a company that became a major player in live streaming and social media.

2012

NASDAQ IPO

Led YY Inc. to an Initial Public Offering on the NASDAQ.

2016-2024

Chairman of JOYY Inc.

Served as Chairman of JOYY Inc.

2016-2024

CEO of JOYY Inc.

Served as CEO of JOYY Inc.

Billionaires Connected to David Xueling Li

Peers in Technology

All Technology billionaires →

Richest in China

All billionaires from China →

Adjacent Global Ranks

Full global ranking →

Compare David Xueling Li

Net Worth Face-off
David Xueling Li vs Elon Musk
Compare Wealth →
Net Worth Face-off
David Xueling Li vs Jeff Bezos
Compare Wealth →
Net Worth Face-off
David Xueling Li vs Mark Zuckerberg
Compare Wealth →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is David Xueling Li's net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, David Xueling Li's estimated net worth is $1.837 billion, ranking #2289 among the world's billionaires. The estimate is based on publicly available shareholding data and market prices, updated daily.
How did David Xueling Li make their money?
David Xueling Li's wealth primarily comes from Live streaming service, most notably through Live streaming services.
Where is David Xueling Li from?
David Xueling Li is from China.
How old is David Xueling Li?
David Xueling Li is 53 years old.

Sources & References

Citations for this profile have not been published yet. Net worth figures here are estimates and should not be treated as verified. See our methodology for how these estimates are produced, or report a correction.