Hollow spheres of zinc ferrite were prepared via a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal approach. The morphology and composition of the final products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. It was observed from the microscope images that the final products were composed of spherical nanostructures about 70-100 nm in diameter. Anti-ferromagnetic transition at the temperature of about 18.06 K was observed from the temperature-magnetic susceptibility curve of the ZnFe2O4 hollow spheres. Possible formation mechanism of the hollow sphere has been discussed. This work may provide us a new synthesis route for the preparation and fabrication of other ferrite nanostructures.