Zong Qinghou,founder, Chairman and CEO of the Hangzhou Wahaha Group

CHENGDU, Feb. 16 (NBD) -- There are always Chinese famous sayings quoted by ardent parents who encourage their children to go to college that "as long as one studies hard, then wealth, high-paying jobs, and beautiful women will all come his way."

But the Hurun University of Life Rich List 2017 released on Tuesday may prove success could be reach in other paths. 

The 100 listed Chinese billionaires, all without bachelor degrees, are sitting on an average fortune of 14.9 billion yuan (2.17 billion US dollars). Their average age is 58 years old. 

Zong Qinghou,founder, Chairman and CEO of the Hangzhou Wahaha Group, tops the list with an asset worth 112 billion yuan (16.32 billion US dollars).

Zong, also a delegate to the Chinese National People's Congress, has had little formal education. After graduating from secondary school, Zong carried bricks, worked as street vendor, but eventually builds today's Wahaha empire. Zong also ranked 5th on China Rich List 2016 published by Hurun Report. 

Chen Lihua, founder and chairman of Fuwah International Group, Zhou Qunfei, founder of the major touchscreen maker Lens Technology, Zhou Xiaoguang, founder of Neoglory Holdings Group Co., are three females listed on the Hurun University of Life Rich List 2017.

Other entrepreneurs hold diplomas also spotted on the list, such as Wang Wenxue, head of China Fortune Land Development, Liu Yonghao, founder and the Chairman of New Hope, and the founder and CEO of Le.com and LeEco Jia Yueting.

Top 10 of the Hurun University of Life Rich List 2017↓

Email: lijia@nbd.com.cn