China’s ‘Dairy Godfather’ rises from unwanted baby to head US$410 million ice cream empire

The rise of China’s so-called Dairy Godfather, from being an abandoned baby to becoming the head of a three-billion-yuan (US$410 million) ice cream empire, is a story of true resilience and vision.

Niu Gensheng, 67, is the founder of the corporate giant Mengniu Dairy, and the creator of Aice, an ice cream brand popular across Southeast Asia.

Born into poverty in Inner Mongolia, a northern region of China known for its vast grasslands and deserts, Niu’s parents struggled to make ends meet.

Unable to care for him, they sold him to a cattle farmer for 50 yuan (US$7) shortly after he was born, and the farmer adopted him.

At the age of eight, Niu’s adoptive father lost his assets after a political row, forcing Niu to sweep streets and do hard labour with him. A short time later, both of his adoptive parents passed away.

In 1983, Niu started as a bottle washer at a local dairy factory, which later became Yili, one of China’s leading dairy companies.