The Legendary Frugality of Hetty Green: The Witch of Wall Street
Hetty Green, considered one of the most miserly persons in history, amassed a fortune estimated to exceed $2.3 billion. Born in America in 1835 as the only daughter of a wealthy businessman, she inherited nearly $7.5 million from her father. At twenty-one years old, she moved to New York to invest in Wall Street, where she became known as the "Wicked Witch of Wall Street." Despite marrying a wealthy man, she lived frugally, surviving on the leftover cake and broken biscuits from grocery stores, and even argued with vendors to get her dog a free piece of meat every day.
Hetty Green was also considered a very unhappy woman. At sixteen years old, she made and repaired her underpants, continuing this practice until her death. She never spent a cent unnecessarily, never used hot water, wore the same black dress until it was completely worn out, and lived on a daily meal of "pie" that cost only two cents. One infamous story about her frugality involves her son's leg. After an accident broke her son’s leg, she delayed seeking medical treatment in an attempt to get free care, ultimately leading to the amputation of his leg due to the delay.
Hetty Green died in 1916 in New York City at the age of 81. She was featured in the Guinness World Records as "the most miserly person in the world." The cause of her death was reportedly a dispute with her maid, who demanded a minor salary increase. Despite her extreme thrift, her children did not inherit her frugality. Her daughter, Sylvia, was known for her generosity, even using her inheritance to build a free hospital.
Hetty Green remains a fascinating figure in financial history, known for her incredible wealth and extraordinary frugality.
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