Who is Peng Zhao? Wife, Family, Biography, Net Worth & Wikipedia

Peng Zhao, a Chinese-American mathematician and business executive, is the CEO of Citadel Securities, one of the world’s most powerful market-making firms. Known for his sharp intellect and quiet leadership style, Zhao is once again in the news for his growing global influence in finance, technology, and AAPI advocacy.

Early Life and Academic Journey

Born in Beijing, Peng Zhao showed academic brilliance from a young age. At just 14 years old, he was admitted to Peking University, where he studied applied mathematics. After completing his degree, he moved to the United States to pursue a PhD in statistics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was recognized as a Berkeley Fellow.

His academic work laid the foundation for a career that blended mathematics, data, and global finance. Zhao graduated in 2006 and immediately entered the world of trading and financial research.

Career at Citadel Securities

Peng Zhao joined Citadel Securities as a senior quantitative researcher. His talent was quickly noticed, and he climbed through several roles, including global head of market making and chief scientist.

In January 2017, Zhao was named CEO at just 34 years old, an extraordinary achievement in the competitive financial sector. Under his leadership, Citadel Securities grew into a global powerhouse, handling one in every five U.S. stock trades and serving clients in over 50 countries.

Why He’s in the News

Zhao is making headlines for three major reasons:

1. Finance Leadership – He has expanded Citadel Securities globally, turning it into one of Wall Street’s most critical players.

2. Tech and AI Advocacy – In March 2025, he spoke at the HumanX conference in Las Vegas, alongside OpenAI and Amazon, discussing how artificial intelligence is reshaping capital markets.

3. AAPI and Civic Engagement – Zhao plays a strong role in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) advocacy. He is a founding board member of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) and also serves on the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, bridging business and diplomacy.

Personal Life: Who is Peng Zhao’s Wife?

Despite being a high-profile Wall Street executive, Peng Zhao lives a private life. His wife, Cherry Chen, is a physician. Together, they are known for supporting philanthropy, education, and AAPI initiatives. The couple prefers to stay away from the spotlight, focusing instead on family life and community work.

A Life of Resilience and Vision

Beyond his financial achievements, Zhao has shared personal stories that reflect his perseverance. One widely shared anecdote tells how, as a boy, he and his father once dug through garbage to find a lost math competition ticket. For Zhao, that experience became a lifelong lesson about determination and never giving up.

Today, Peng Zhao is often called the “No. 1 Chinese on Wall Street”, a title that reflects both his remarkable career and his symbolic importance to the global financial world. His journey blends academic brilliance, financial leadership, and civic responsibility, making him one of the most intriguing leaders of his generation.