Michael Ying

Ying was born in Hong Kong. His father and his family had originated from Wenchang, Hainan, China. He began his career as a laborer in the garment factory, and later dealt with clients such as Esprit. Esprit later hired Ying as its sole sourcing agent in 1970. Esprit Far East Group began operating in the 1970s when its founders Susie and Douglas Tompkins began doing business with Ying.

In the mid 2000s, Esprit Holdings Limited generated worldwide sales of around EUR 3.25 billion (as of 30 June 2008). Esprit operates in more than 770 retail stores worldwide and distributes products to more than 15,150 wholesale locations around the globe. Esprit has more than 1.1 million square meters of retail space in 40 countries.

The clothier was started in 1968, when Susie and Doug Tompkins sold clothes out of the back of a station wagon in San Francisco. Esprit Far East Group began operating in the 1970s when the couple met Ying.

During Ying's tenure, Esprit's sales grew 30-fold to HK$23.3 billion in the year ended June 2006 from HK$769.7 million in 1993, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Ying helped oversee Esprit's global expansion and a sales surge during a 13-year tenure as chairman that ended in 2006.

In January 2019, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$2.4 billion.[1]

Ying has now dedicated his time to his family, Yanai Foundation, and maintains a low profile in Asia. Ying enjoys the outdoors, diving, golf and exploration.

In 1986, Ying married Flora Cheong-Leen, a ballerina turned entrepreneur, and together have one child Claudine Ying (born 1987). They were divorced shortly afterwards in 1988.

In 1995, Ying married Brigitte Lin, former actress,[1] and they have two daughters together: Ying Oi Lum (born 1996) and Ying Yin Oi (born 2001). They live in Hong Kong.[1]

• Michael Ying's short biography at Forbes