Hetty Green

Full Name: Henrietta Howland Robinson
Profession: Businesswoman and Financier

Nationality:

Biography: Hetty Green was an American businesswoman and financier known for her immense wealth and her extreme frugality, which earned her the nickname "the Witch of Wall Street." She was one of the richest women in the world during her lifetime and is often cited as one of the greatest female investors in history.

Green's business acumen was evident from an early age. When she inherited a large fortune from her family, she astutely managed her investments in real estate, railroads, and government bonds, significantly increasing her wealth. Her financial prowess was exceptional at a time when women were not commonly involved in high-level financial decisions.

Despite her wealth, Green lived a life of extreme thriftiness. She was famous for her refusal to spend money on even basic necessities and her efforts to avoid paying taxes. These habits, coupled with her stern demeanor and all-black attire, contributed to her reputation as a miser and earned her the moniker "the Witch of Wall Street."

Green's life was also marked by several legal disputes, mostly related to her family's inheritance. Her unwillingness to spend money on her family's health care reportedly led to her son losing his leg due to an untreated injury, further cementing her reputation for frugality.

Born: November 21, 1834
Birthplace: New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
Star Sign: Scorpio

Died: July 3, 1916 (aged 81)
Cause of Death: Apoplexy after she argued with a maid over the virtues of skimmed milk. She had also suffered a series of strokes prior.