Lang Ping at a Glance
- Net Worth (2025): $20 million
- Birthdate: December 10, 1960
- Birthplace: Tianjin, China
- Nationality: Chinese
- Profession: Volleyball Coach, former Volleyball Player
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What is Lang Ping’s Net Worth?
Lang Ping has a net worth of $20 million. She built her fortune first as one of the most dominant volleyball players in history and later as one of the world’s most successful and highest-paid coaches. Nicknamed the “Iron Hammer” for her powerful spikes, Lang Ping is a cultural icon in China, which has translated into significant earning power.
Her wealth comes from several key areas. As a player, she was a national hero, but her most substantial earnings came from her coaching career. Lang Ping commanded high salaries in professional leagues, particularly in Italy, and as the head coach of both the U.S. and Chinese national teams.
Her return to China to coach the Guangdong Evergrande women’s volleyball club, backed by the Evergrande real estate group, came with a multi-million yuan contract. Her subsequent role as the head coach of the Chinese national team, which she led to Olympic gold, also included a substantial salary. Beyond coaching, her legendary status makes her one of the most marketable sports figures in China, leading to numerous high-value endorsement deals.
Early Life
Lang Ping was born in Tianjin, China. She was drawn to volleyball in her youth and began training seriously as a teenager. Her height and athletic talent quickly set her apart, and she was selected for the Beijing municipal sports school. By 1978, at just 18 years old, she had earned a spot on the Chinese women’s national volleyball team, marking the start of a legendary career.
Career
Lang Ping’s professional career defined an era of Chinese volleyball. As the star outside hitter for the national team, she was the face of a squad that won four consecutive world titles. This dominant run included gold at the 1981 and 1985 World Cups, the 1982 World Championship, and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Her fierce playing style earned her the “Iron Hammer” moniker and made her a national heroine.
After retiring as a player, she transitioned into coaching, a move that would eventually make her the first person in volleyball history to win Olympic gold as both a player and a coach. She first studied and coached in the United States before taking her talents to the professional Italian league, where she had great success leading clubs like Modena.
Her international coaching career reached a high point when she became the head coach of the U.S. women’s national team in 2005. She led the American squad to a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a historic match that saw her coach against her home country in her home city.
In 2009, she returned to China to coach the professional club Guangdong Evergrande, elevating the team to a league championship. This move preceded her celebrated return as the head coach of the Chinese women’s national team in 2013. She successfully rebuilt the program, leading China to a World Cup victory in 2015 and culminating in a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She stepped down from the position following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
