Hetty Green, born Henrietta Howland Robinson in 1834, was an American financier known as the wealthiest woman of her era.
She inherited around $10,000,000 from her father and a maternal aunt, growing her wealth significantly through savvy investments on Wall Street, in government bonds, stocks, mortgages and real estate.
Green became a powerful figure in finance, with many major investors indebted to her after the 1907 panic.
Known for her frugality, she lived modestly, often in inexpensive lodgings, which fueled many rumors about her eccentricities.
She passed away in 1916, leaving an estate exceeding $100,000,000.
See also: Seth Klarman Quotes and Sam Walton Quotes.
Top 5 Hetty Green Quotes
When the crash came I had money, and I was one of the very few who really had it. ~ Hetty Green.
I don’t think society means what some rich people would have us believe. ~ Hetty Green.
I like to see everybody get along but the wrongdoers. ~ Hetty Green.
I never buy real estate. First mortgages are good enough for me. ~ Hetty Green.
Few people can do more than one thing well. ~ Hetty Green.
Best Hetty Green Quotes
I advise women to invest in real estate. It is the collateral to be preferred above all others, and the safest means of investing money. ~ Hetty Green.
I always try to deal justly with everyone. But if anyone wants to fight me I’ll give him all the fight he wants. ~ Hetty Green.
All you have to do is buy cheap and sell dear, act with thrift and shrewdness, and be persistent.
There is no great secret in fortune making. All you do is buy cheap and sell dear, act with thrift and shrewdness and be persistent. ~ Hetty Green.
American women would be much happier, if they learned the principles of business in girlhood. ~ Hetty Green.
My father taught me never to owe anyone anything, not even a kindness. ~ Hetty Green.
Never speculate on Wall Street; eat slowly; don’t stay up all night; don’t drink ice water; keep out of drafts. ~ Hetty Green.
I know a few things about real estate mortgages, but not jewels. I have no use for them in my business. ~ Hetty Green.
It is the principle of the thing I am fighting for. A few dollars more or less would make no difference. ~ Hetty Green.
Popular Hetty Green Quotes
I only use common sense. I buy when things are low and no one wants them. I keep them until they go up, and people are crazy to get them. That is, I believe, the secret of all successful business. ~ Hetty Green.
I never worry about things. ~ Hetty Green.
My business seldom keeps me awake at night. I sleep well, and, as I have told you, I eat carefully. ~ Hetty Green.
One must not mistake short-sightedness for patience. It is absolutely essential that a good business man should be far-seeing. He should be able to view impartially all sides of a situation, and readily adapt himself to the circumstances of the hour. ~ Hetty Green.
Business training would be an excellent thing for women, but it should be begun in their infancy. ~ Hetty Green.
My father had the idea that money which one inherited should be given over undiminished to the next generation. ~ Hetty Green.
More money is made in the end by an over-supply of caution than by indiscriminate recklessness. ~ Hetty Green.
Short Biography of Hetty Green
Hetty Green, born in 1834 into a wealthy whaling family, became known as “the richest woman in America” and the “Queen of Wall Street” during the Gilded Age for her sharp financial acumen and willingness to lend during crises.
Despite media portrayals of her as miserly, those who truly knew her admired her disciplined investment strategies and discreet generosity.
Growing up, Hetty was deeply influenced by her family’s business-minded approach, learning to read financial papers by age six and managing family books by thirteen.
| Full Name | Henrietta Howland Robinson |
| Born | 21 November 1834, New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | 3 July 1916 (age 81 years), New York, New York, United States |
| Resting Place | Immanuel Cemetery, Bellows Falls, Vermont, U.S. |
| Known For | Financial prowess, miserly conduct |
| Spouse | Edward Henry Green (m. 1867–1902) |
| Parents | Edward Mott Robinson |
| Children | Edward Howland Robinson Green, Harriet Sylvia Ann Howland Green Wilks |
| Relatives | Sylvia Ann Howland (aunt) |
| Education | Eliza Wing School |
| Occupation | Financier |
Rejecting societal expectations for women, she focused on expanding her financial knowledge and capabilities, showing little interest in the lavish lifestyle of her peers or the pursuit of marriage.
Her life’s work challenged the norms of her time, proving her prowess in a male-dominated financial world.
Quick Facts about Hetty Green
- Hetty Green was known as the wealthiest woman in the world at her time of death in 1916.
- She was also nicknamed the “Witch of Wall Street.”
- Her fortune was estimated at over $100 million upon her death.
- Green’s estate value in 2024 dollars would be approximately $2.8 billion.
- Her Quaker upbringing influenced her austere lifestyle.
- She was a pioneer of value investing, even before Ben Graham.
- Green provided financial support during the Panic of 1907, saving New York City.
- Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1834 to a wealthy family.
- She was reading financial pages to her family by age 6 and opened her first bank account at age 8.
- Green lived her life on her own terms in a male-dominated society.
- She had a prenuptial agreement to keep her finances separate from her husband’s.
- After a financial betrayal by her husband, they separated but never divorced.
- Known for maintaining substantial liquid assets to navigate financial crises.
- Green’s frugality earned her the title “World’s Greatest Miser” by Guinness World Records.
- She preferred economical living spaces and modest attire.
- Green sought medical care from charitable organizations, even for her injured son.
- Her son defended her reputation, denying claims of her being parsimonious.
- She was raised to value simplicity over pomp and show.
- Green practiced careful personal finance, believing in getting full value for every dollar.
- Despite her wealth, she was detached from elite social circles.
- Green amassed her fortune through disciplined investing, avoiding speculation.
- She believed in lending money on good collateral and was considered an expert in commercial paper.
- Her philanthropy was discreet, in line with her Quaker beliefs, supporting churches and families.
- Green faced public scrutiny, particularly over her son’s sledding injury incident.
- She anticipated inheriting $2 million from her Aunt Sylvia but was defeated in a legal dispute over the will.
- Green once drew a gun on Collis P. Huntington to protect her son during a business dispute.
- She was involved in sensational personal and legal controversies throughout her life.
- Her investment success was unmatched, turning an inheritance into billions in today’s dollars.
- Green was often sought after for investment advice by her male colleagues.
- Despite controversies, Green was respected for her financial wisdom, earning her the title “Queen of Wall Street.”
Top Questions about Hetty Green
A: Hetty Green got the nickname “the Witch of Wall Street” after her husband’s death, as she always wore black mourning clothes. This, along with her reputation for being extremely frugal, led to the witch comparison.
A: Hetty Green foresaw the Panic of 1907 and kept a large amount of cash ready. When the crisis hit, she helped bail out New York City, lending money when banks couldn’t or wouldn’t.
A: Hetty Green is buried next to her husband in Bellows Falls, Vermont, at the Immanuel Episcopal Church cemetery. She converted to his Episcopal faith to be buried beside him.
A: Hetty Green was the wealthiest woman of the Gilded Age, known for her shrewd investments and significant financial success. Her independence and blunt demeanor left a lasting impression.
A: At her death, Hetty Green’s net worth was estimated between $100 million to $200 million, equivalent to $2.7 billion to $5.4 billion in 2024 dollars, making her possibly the richest woman in the world then.
A: Hetty Green became the richest woman in the world by amassing a $2.8 billion fortune (in 2024 dollars) through stock market investments between 1865 and 1916.
A: Hetty Green’s investment strategy involved buying low, selling high, acting thriftily and shrewdly, and being persistent. This approach aligns with modern investment philosophies like those of Warren Buffett.
A: Hetty Green’s wealth, initially left to her children, Ned and Sylvia, eventually dissipated over time, leaving none of her fortune remaining today.
A: Hetty Green’s estate, primarily her fortune, was inherited by her children, Ned and Sylvia, except for some bequests to relatives and friends.
A: At her death, Hetty Green’s net worth was estimated between $100 million to $200 million, equivalent to about $2.7 billion to $5.4 billion in 2024 dollars.
A: In the Gilded Age, Hetty Green was known as the richest woman in America.
A: Hetty Green is significant for her unparalleled success in the stock market, amassing a $2.8 billion fortune (in 2024 dollars) and becoming the world’s wealthiest woman during her time.
