Imagine a world where women were not restricted to traditional roles and were able to succeed in the male-dominated field of finance. In that world, you might find a woman who earned the nickname "Witch of Wall Street" for her remarkable financial acumen and shrewd business tactics. The Witch of Wall Street, also known as Hetty Green, was a pioneering female investor and businesswoman who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1834 into a wealthy and influential family, Green defied societal expectations by venturing into the world of finance. Green's father, Edward Robinson, was a successful businessman and provided her with a solid financial education. Following his death, Green inherited a significant fortune.
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. Her mother, Abby Slocum Howland, was the daughter of wealthy whaling fleet owner Gideon Howland. Her father, Edward Mott Robinson, was Gideon’s business partner. Edward Robinson married Abby Howland with the intention of having a son to inherit and increase his wealth. On November 21, 1834, Abby gave birth in New Bedford to their firstborn, a daughter they named Henrietta. Abby soon had a son who died a few weeks after birth. Edward, enraged that there was no son for him to mentor, threw himself into his work; Abby, terrified of her husband and depressed over the loss, went to bed. By the time Hetty was two years old, her parents had sent her to live with her grandfather Gideon and his older daughter Sylvia Ann Howland, Abby’s sickly sister.
Upon her grandfather Gideon s death, Hetty s father became the principal partner of the family business and controlled his wife Abby s share of the inheritance. In 1885, when Cisco Bank refused to transfer her 550,000 to Chemical National Bank, she learned that Edward planned to use her money to cover his losses without her permission.
Following his death, Green inherited a significant fortune. However, rather than live a life of idle luxury, she chose to use her wealth to make more money. Green quickly made a name for herself in the financial world through her bold investment strategies and keen sense for profitable opportunities.
Witch of wall sstreet
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accountants portrayed in popular culture
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death from overwork
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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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She had a knack for identifying undervalued assets and was not afraid to take risks to make a profit. Her ability to navigate the complex world of finance earned her great respect and fear from her male counterparts. However, Green's success did not come without controversy. She was known for her frugality and relentless pursuit of profit, which sometimes bordered on ruthlessness. Rumors circulated that she would walk the streets of Wall Street in shabby clothing to avoid drawing attention to her wealth. Additionally, she was reputedly harsh with both her employees and her family, often prioritizing financial gain over personal relationships. Despite the detractors, Green amassed a fortune that would rival the wealthiest businessmen of her time. She was often regarded as one of the richest women in the world. However, her choices and methods made her a polarizing figure. While many admired her financial prowess, others criticized her for her perceived lack of compassion and consideration for others. The Witch of Wall Street remained an influential figure until her death in 1916. Her legacy as a successful female investor and businesswoman broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of women in finance. Today, her story serves as a reminder that anyone, regardless of gender, has the potential to achieve great success in the world of finance..
Reviews for "The Witch of Wall Street: How Hetty Green Shattered Glass Ceilings in the World of Finance"
1. John - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Witch of Wall Street". Despite the promising title and plot, the execution fell flat. The story lacked depth and the characters were one-dimensional. I found it hard to relate to any of them and their motivations seemed forced. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen, but it never did. Overall, I found the book to be boring and a waste of time.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Witch of Wall Street", but unfortunately, I was let down. The writing style was hard to follow and the pacing was slow. The author tried to incorporate too many subplots and it made the story confusing and disjointed. Additionally, the protagonist was unlikable and unsympathetic, which made it difficult to stay engaged in the narrative. I struggled to finish the book and can't say I would recommend it to others.
3. Mark - 1 star
"Witch of Wall Street" was a complete letdown. The plot was predictable and cliché, with no surprises or twists. The dialogue was unrealistic and forced, making it hard to connect with the characters. The author's attempts at creating suspense fell flat and the resolution was unsatisfying. Overall, the book lacked originality and failed to deliver an engaging story. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.