Hetty Green

Henrietta Howland Robinson Green (November 21, 1835 – July 3, 1916), known as Hetty Green, was an American businesswoman, investor, and financier who became one of the wealthiest and most financially astute women of her era. Born in Massachusetts to a wealthy merchant family, Green was trained in financial matters from an early age by her father, an unusual upbringing for women of her time. After inheriting a substantial fortune, she multiplied her wealth through shrewd investments in real estate, bonds, and railroad stocks, eventually accumulating a net worth estimated at between $100 million and $200 million—enormous sums for the late 19th century. Her aggressive negotiation tactics and ruthless business practices earned her the nickname 'The Witch of Wall Street,' a designation that reflected both admiration for her acumen and societal discomfort with her independence and ambition. Green famously maintained strict control over her finances and was known for her austere lifestyle and frugal habits, which contrasted sharply with her immense wealth. She made loans to governments and corporations during financial crises, wielding considerable economic influence. Though her personal life was controversial and sometimes tragic, Hetty Green's legacy as a pioneering female investor and financial strategist remains significant, inspiring subsequent generations of women in finance.