The Witch of Wall Street is a captivating figure from American history, known for her immense wealth and shrewd business tactics. Hetty Green, born Henrietta Howland Robinson, earned the title of the Witch of Wall Street due to her unyielding pursuit of financial prosperity and her reputation for being frugal to the point of obsession. Born in 1834 into a wealthy Quaker family, Hetty Green was raised with a strong financial education and quickly learned the art of investing. Inheriting a sizable fortune from her father, she embarked on a journey to grow her wealth and solidify her position in the male-dominated world of finance. Green's investment strategy was marked by her staunch thriftiness. She was notorious for dressing in frayed clothes and refusing to spend money on anything she deemed unnecessary.
By the time she was 13, Green had “taken over accounting for the family business,” writes Amanda Leek for The Telegraph. When she was 20, Leek writes, Green’s father bought her “a wardrobe full of the finest dresses of the season… in order to attract a wealthy suitor.” Green sold her new wardrobe and bought government bonds with the proceeds.
Henrietta Hetty Howland Robinson Green 1834-1916 , the richest woman in the world at the time of her death, has been known as both The Witch of Wall Street and The Queen of Wall Street for her unconventional ways amid extraordinary financial success. And while there may be some truth to these rumors, it s possible she faced harsher criticism than her wealthy peers for being a woman in a man s industry.
She was notorious for dressing in frayed clothes and refusing to spend money on anything she deemed unnecessary. Despite her immense wealth, she would haggle over small amounts, even going as far as to carry her own soap in her purse to avoid paying for public restroom facilities. Her frugality extended to her personal life as well.
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accountants portrayed in popular culture
Two
death from overwork
Three
accountants' glamorous world
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history of accounting
"Sarbanes-Oxley Blues," words and music written by Headwaters Co-Founder & Chairman Dave Maney
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Al Capone, FDR, LBJ, MLK, Watergate
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Sex of a Hippopotamus
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tax return publicity
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famous wealthy people
| THE WITCH OF WALL STREET Hetty Green was the inspiration for passage of the 1894 Income Tax Act and the 1916 Estate Tax Act. She was the shrewdest and richest woman in America, and an eccentric miser. Her wealth was estimated at $100 million. She was the only woman listed among the 40 richest Gilded Age millionaires. The New York Tribune reported, �Mrs. Green wore what once had been a black dress, which must have been of practically indestructible material. It turned brown, then green, and still she wore it; and carried an umbrella and handbag of about the same era as her dress.� This outfit was quite a sight in the financial district, and it earned her the nickname, �the Witch of Wall Street.� (Her agent who collected rent on her Chicago properties was named W.B. Frankenstein. Really!) Hetty had no grandchildren. Her daughter, Sylvia was six feet tall, not pretty, and reportedly had �no trace of a personality.� She didn�t wed until 1909 at age 38 when she married Matthew Astor Wilks, the 63-year-old great-grandson of John Jacob Astor. Her son Ned injured his left knee when he was 14. She treated the wound herself and relied on free clinics to avoid a medical bill. His leg eventually turned gangrenous and had to be amputated above the knee. Following a 1910 interview in Paris where he expressed a desire to find a wife, Ned received 5,000 written marriage proposals. But he claimed that women were only interested in his money. This six-foot-four, 300 pound eccentric, who lavished millions on racing cars, yachts, planes, coins, stamps, politics and pornography, didn�t marry until age 48, a year after his mother died. His 47-year-old bride, his �housekeeper� for 15 years, was a former prostitute. To minimize expenses and to evade tax collectors, Hetty lived in cheap boarding houses, eventually settling into a $19 per month apartment in Hoboken, N.J. under the assumed name, Mrs. Dewey, after her shaggy dog, Dewey. It left collectors guessing where to find her and the proper state in which to tax her. Hoboken imposed a $2 annual dog license, which she also refused to pay, so she had to keep ahead of the dog catcher too. She adored Dewey. Though she subsisted on oatmeal (heated on a radiator), graham crackers (purchased in bulk), and raw onions, she always fed Dewey tenderloin steaks and rice pudding. There's more about Hetty Green, her eccentric children, how her fortune eventually disappeared into nothing, and the tax woes of other millionaires in:
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Hetty Green steadily increased her fortune over the years by speculating on the dollar and investing in mortgages, real estate, and railroads. Green was also left money by several of her family members, increasing her already-sizable wealth.
Despite being married and having children, Hetty Green rarely spent time with her family, choosing instead to focus on her business ventures. She was criticized for neglecting her son's health, leading to his leg being amputated due to a delay in seeking medical attention. This event further solidified her reputation as a hardened and unforgiving figure. Hetty Green's wealth primarily came from investments in real estate, railroad stocks, and government bonds. She played a significant role in financing the development of infrastructure in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her shrewd investments and bold financial moves earned her a vast fortune, making her one of the richest women in the world at the time. Despite her financial successes, Hetty Green faced many challenges and setbacks. She was often met with skepticism and discrimination due to her gender. However, her relentless determination and business acumen allowed her to overcome these obstacles and establish herself as a prominent figure in the world of finance. Green's legacy extends beyond her immense wealth. She paved the way for future female entrepreneurs and investors, breaking barriers and proving that women can excel in the realm of finance. Her story serves as a reminder of the power of determination and smart investments, regardless of one's gender. In conclusion, Hetty Green, also known as the Witch of Wall Street, was a tenacious and wealthy businesswoman who left an indelible mark on American finance. Her frugality, sharp business acumen, and unyielding pursuit of wealth set her apart from her contemporaries and solidified her place in history..
Reviews for "The Witch of Wall Street and the Art of Navigating a Man’s World"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Witch of Wall Street" to be incredibly slow and boring. The pacing of the story was off, with long stretches of unnecessary and uninteresting dialogue. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about any of them. Overall, I was disappointed by the lackluster plot and the lack of engaging storytelling in this book.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I cannot express enough how much I disliked "Witch of Wall Street". The writing was incredibly confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the story. The author seemed more interested in showing off their knowledge of financial jargon than creating a coherent and enjoyable narrative. I struggled to connect with any of the characters, as they felt flat and one-dimensional. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Michael - 2 stars - "Witch of Wall Street" had potential, but it fell flat for me. The premise was intriguing, but the execution left much to be desired. The story lacked depth and complexity, feeling more like a shallow retelling of a well-known tale. The writing style was bland and uninspiring, failing to engage me as a reader. Overall, I was disappointed by the underwhelming storytelling and lack of originality in this book.
4. Emily - 3 stars - While "Witch of Wall Street" had some interesting moments, it ultimately failed to captivate me. The pacing was uneven, with slow and repetitive sections that dragged on. The characters were somewhat engaging, but I found their motivations and actions to be unrealistic and clichéd. The author also seemed to rely too heavily on coincidences to move the plot forward. While this book had potential, it didn't quite deliver on its promises.