Yao Ming is a wealthy retired Chinese NBA star. The former basketball star’s biography consisting of his wife, parents, height, and more explored.
Former NBA player Yao Ming is one of the league’s most recognizable stars – and he has cashed in on his success both on and off the court.
The giant Chinese NBA star, 42, has amassed a mammoth fortune after leaving the league in 2011. What is known about his height, business, net worth, and more?
Profile Summary
| Celebrated Name: | Yao Ming |
| Net Worth: | $180 million |
| Salary: | $93 million |
| Profession: | Former NBA player |
| Date of Birth: | September 12, 1980 (age 42 years) |
| Birthplace: | Shanghai, China |
| Height: | 2.29 m |
| Weight: | 141 kg |
| Wife: | Ye Li (m. 2007) |
| Parents: | Fang Fengdi, Yao Zhiyuan |
Who is Yao Ming?
Yao Ming is a Chinese basketball executive and former professional player. He played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association and the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association.
Ming was the No. 1 overall pick for the Houston Rockets in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Standing 7 feet 6 inches and weighing 310 pounds, the dominating center is listed only behind Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol among the tallest NBA players of all time.
Ming was an eight-time All-Star who dominated both ends of the basketball court.
He arrived in the NBA with his skillset already honed from five years in the Chinese league, Shanghai Sharks.
The Hall of Famer averaged 19 points and nine rebounds per game over his time at the Rockets, with his No. 11 jersey retired in Houston when he called time on his career.
Why did Yao Ming retire so early? Yao suffered a stress fracture in his ankle, and he was sidelined for the remainder of the season. The injury-plagued Yao retired from professional basketball in July 2011.
What is Yao Ming’s net worth?
Chinese NBA star Yao Ming has accumulated an estimated net worth of $180 million. He made his fortune from his years as a basketball player and executive as well as investments and endorsements with companies.
Before retiring, Ming amassed a whopping $93,390,336, in career earnings in the NBA, per Spotrac.
And since leaving basketball in July 2011 due to chronic injuries, his fortune has only grown thanks to lucrative endorsements and savvy business deals.
During his career, Ming partnered up with McDonald’s, Apple, Reebok, and Visa, among others.
His investments range from restaurants in the US to projects back home in China.
Ming owns the Yeeha Restaurant in Shanghai and Yao Restaurant in Houston.
In 2009, he launched Yao Family Wines, a vineyard business based in Napa Valley, California.
And in 2016, Ming co-founded Yao Capital alongside longtime business partners Erik Zhang and David Han, shortly after he was named chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Who are Yao Ming’s parents?
Yao Ming was born on September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China to parents Fang Fengdi father) and Yao Zhiyuan (mother). Both of his parents are former professional basketball players.
In 2005, former Newsweek writer Brook Larmer published a book entitled Operation Yao Ming, in which he said that Yao’s parents were convinced to marry each other so that they would produce a dominant athlete and that during Yao’s childhood, he was given special treatment to help him become a great basketball player.
In a 2015 AMA post on Reddit, Yao stated that this was not true and that he started playing basketball for fun at age 9.
How tall is Yao Ming?
Yao Ming stands at a height of 2.29 m. He weighs around 141 kg.
When he was 10, Yao measured 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) and was examined by sports doctors, who predicted he would grow to 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).
At 11 pounds (5.0 kg), Yao weighed more than twice as much as the average Chinese newborn.
He took his weight and height from his parents. His dad’s height is 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) and his mom’s height is 6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m)
Where did Yao Ming attend school?
Ming placed heavy emphasis on education after leaving the NBA, heading back to school at the Antai College of Economics & Management of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2011
He took a tailored degree program with mostly one-on-one lectures to avoid being a distraction on campus. Yao completed his studies in July 2018, graduating with a degree in economics after 7 years of study.
Who is Yao Ming married to?
Yao Ming has been married for over 16 years since August 6, 2007, to Ye Li, the only woman he has ever dated in his life. His wife is also a Chinese female basketball player.
Yao and Ye met when he was 17 years old and although she wasn’t fond of him, they became friends-couple when he showed her a kind gesture.
They made public their relationship in 2004 during the Olympics closing ceremony.
Does Yao Ming have any children?
Yao Ming is a father of one. He has a daughter named Yao Qinlei (which means Amy in English). She was born on May 21, 2010, in Houston, Texas. He shares his daughter who is 13 years old with his spouse, Ye.