Michigan Woman Makes Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Women List
Michigan’s very own Marian Ilitch is crushing it on Forbes’ latest list. She’s one of the richest self-made women in America. Surpassing notable figures such as Taylor Swift, Madonna, Oprah Winfrey, and Kim Kardashian.
Ilitch, a graduate of Fordson High School in Dearborn, stands out as the sole Michigan resident to secure a spot on the list which features entrepreneurs, executives, and entertainers. At the remarkable age of 90, as the founder and chairwoman of Ilitch Holdings Inc., she has claimed the eighth position with an estimated real-time net worth of $4 billion. According to Forbes, the collective net worth of the 100 women featured on the list has reached an all-time high of $124 billion, representing an impressive growth of nearly 12% compared to the previous year.
The #1 Richest Self-Made Woman
For the sixth consecutive year, Diane Hendricks, the powerhouse behind a building supply distributor, has claimed the coveted top spot-on Forbes’ list. With a staggering net worth of $15 billion, she continues to dominate the rankings.
The list features an impressive array of talented women, including Sara Blakely, the visionary founder of Spanx, Peggy Cherng, the brilliant cofounder and co-CEO of Panda Express, the renowned fashion designer Tory Burch, the multi-talented musician and designer Rihanna, and the iconic songwriter and country music star Dolly Parton. These women have undoubtedly made their mark in their respective fields.
Marian Ilitch, a familiar face on Forbes’ America’s Richest Self list in recent years, has consistently proven her financial prowess. In fact, she even secured the top spot back in 2017.
To be featured on this prestigious list, women must have substantially built their fortunes in the United States and/or be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, according to Forbes. Net worths were determined by assessing individual assets, including stakes in public companies based on stock prices as of May 12, 2023. The values of private companies were made in consultation with external experts, ensuring a conservative comparison with public counterparts.
After giving birth to her third child in 1959, Marian Ilitch and her late husband Mike opened a pizza shop called Little Caesars in Garden City. Today, Little Caesars has become the third-largest pizza chain worldwide, with locations across all 50 U.S. states and in over 27 countries.
Ilitch Holdings also oversees a range of businesses, including Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Tigers, MotorCity Casino Hotel, Olympia Development, and 313 Presents, a live entertainment company.
See the complete list here.
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