Billionaire Who Was Funded by Village for College Now Giving Back to His Roots

Many great successes forget those who formed the initial strength in difficult times. However, not everyone is like Richard Liu Qiangdong, a Chinese billionaire, who remembers who helped him up. This does not only give people respect but deep admiration.

Richard Liu, chairman of China’s top e-commerce platform, JD.com, and now 50 years old, has never forgotten his roots in Guangming village, Jiangsu province. Even though he has made a lot of money, Liu has never stopped visiting his hometown, expressing gratitude through good deeds that really touch the villagers.

Liu was born into a financially struggling family. He completed his schooling in the village. In 1992, he went to Beijing for higher education at China Renmin University but did not have the money to pay for tuition. The villagers came together and raised about Rs 6,000 and even contributed 76 eggs to help cover his expenses.

In 2016, after winning, Liu returned to the village with his wife and donated Rs 1,18,000 to each elderly villager. He also provided food, clothing, and household items to every family. Liu ensured that 1,400 families received these gifts, consulting with the Village Commission to gather necessary information. This year, Liu distributed Rs 1,21,245 to every villager over 60.

The villagers feel that no one else has ever been so kind to them, and they say they bear no grudge if nothing more were to come. For his part, Liu has always said that he made it to school only because of the constant support of his village.