The Witch of Wall Street is a nickname that was given to Hetty Green, an American businesswoman and investor who became notorious during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was one of the most successful and wealthy women of her time, yet she gained a reputation for being miserly and ruthless in her business dealings. Hetty Green was born on November 21, 1834, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She came from a wealthy and well-respected family, and her father was a successful whaling magnate. However, Hetty's early life was marked by tragedy and financial struggles. Her father died when she was young, leaving her a sizable inheritance, but her mother mismanaged the family's finances, plunging them into debt.
There's more about Hetty Green, her eccentric children, how her fortune eventually disappeared into nothing, and the tax woes of other millionaires in:
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. Hetty was devastated to realize that even though she had been her father s attentive business student, her father did not trust her with the bulk of the family fortune.
Her father died when she was young, leaving her a sizable inheritance, but her mother mismanaged the family's finances, plunging them into debt. From an early age, Hetty showed a keen interest in finance and investing. She began managing her own investments and eventually made a name for herself as a shrewd businesswoman.
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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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But Green alleged that an earlier version – which she’d helped write – left her as the sole heir, and spent years arguing over it in court.
She became particularly skilled at investing in stocks and bonds, and her investments consistently yielded high returns. Hetty's frugal and unassuming lifestyle was in stark contrast to her immense wealth. She was known to dress in plain and outdated clothing, and she famously lived in cheap rented apartments and avoided paying unnecessary expenses. She would reportedly haggle over the price of a newspaper or walk long distances to avoid paying for a cab. Despite her many personal quirks, Hetty Green's business acumen was undeniable. She made several astute investments during her career, including buying up bonds during the panic of 1907 and earning significant profits. At one point, she was said to be the wealthiest woman in the world, with a fortune estimated at around $100 million. However, Hetty's reputation was tarnished by her ruthless tactics in business dealings. She was known for taking advantage of others, including her tenants and business partners. She would often delay payments, demand exorbitant interest rates, and use lawsuits to intimidate her opponents. Hetty Green died on July 3, 1916, at the age of 81. Despite her immense wealth, she left behind a relatively modest estate, as she had continued to accumulate wealth until her death. Her son, Edward Green, inherited the majority of her fortune and went on to become a prominent figure in finance. In conclusion, the Witch of Wall Street, Hetty Green, was a remarkable and controversial figure in American business history. Known for her incredible wealth and miserly ways, she achieved great financial success through her savvy investments and ruthless business tactics. Her legacy as one of the wealthiest and most infamous women of her time continues to endure to this day..
Reviews for "The Untold Story of Hetty Green's Private Life: Behind the Witch of Wall Street"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Witch of Wall Street". The story felt repetitive, with the same old cliche characters and predictable plot twists. The protagonist lacked depth and I couldn't connect with her at all. I found myself skimming through the pages, hoping for an interesting turn of events, but sadly, it never came. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "Witch of Wall Street" was a complete waste of time for me. The writing style was confusing and the author failed to build a cohesive storyline. I couldn't keep track of the numerous subplots that were introduced and the characters were one-dimensional. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it a struggle to finish the book. I felt no emotional investment in any of the characters and the ending left me unsatisfied. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this book.
3. Michael - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Witch of Wall Street", but it fell flat for me. The author clearly had some interesting ideas, but the execution was poor. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the interactions between characters. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, jumping between slow and rushed portions without any sense of balance. While the concept had potential, the book ultimately failed to live up to my expectations.