Zong Qinghou, Chinese Beverage Mogul Who Bested Danone, Has Died

Zong QinghouPhotographer: Nelson Ching/Bloomberg
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Zong Qinghou, the self-made billionaire who became China’s richest man by wresting control of the country’s top beverage brand from Danone, has died. He was 79.

The founder and chairman of Wahaha Group died of illness at a hospital at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to a statement that doesn’t provide further details on the cause of death or the location of the medical facility. The company saidBloomberg Terminal on Feb. 22 that Zong was hospitalized for treatment and was in stable condition.