Hetty Green: The World’s Most Miserly Woman Who Became the Richest Woman in America
Imagine being richer than most banks, yet refusing to pay for your child’s medical care or even a warm bowl of soup.
That was Hetty Green, the woman known as the “Witch of Wall Street” and officially crowned by the Guinness World Records as the most miserly person in the world.
Born in the 1800s, Hetty became one of the richest women in history. But her shocking behavior, legendary stinginess, and tragic choices have made her a dark figure of financial lore.
Early Life of Hetty Green
- Full Name: Henrietta Howland Robinson Green
- Born: November 21, 1834, in New Bedford, Massachusetts
- Family: Wealthy Quakers who made fortunes in whaling and shipping
She read financial newspapers at age 6, managed family accounts at 13, and developed a sharp investment mind early on. By 1865, she inherited $7.5 million (worth over $100 million today).
The Rise of the “Witch of Wall Street”
Hetty was brilliant in finance but ruthless in savings. While others spent on mansions and clothes, she:
- Dressed in one black gown
- Ate cold porridge
- Refused heating, soap, or laundry costs
- Walked to save trolley fare
- Slept in her office to avoid rent
She lived like a beggar, even when her fortune grew to over $100 million (≈$4 billion today).
Tragic & True: Famous Incidents of Her Miserliness
🦵 1. Her Son Lost His Leg
- Her son Ned Green injured his leg.
- She tried to treat him at a free clinic, pretending to be poor.
- When asked to pay, she refused.
- His injury worsened and eventually led to amputation.
➡️ One of the most infamous incidents in her life that shocked America.
💸 2. Refused to Pay Rent — Slept in Banks
Hetty hated spending money. She:
- Lived in cheap hotels
- Often slept in her bank’s office
- Moved constantly to avoid property taxes
- Did not own a home despite being one of America’s wealthiest
🧤 3. Wore Rags & Stole Heat
- Wore a single, old, dirty black dress daily
- Refused to heat her rooms
- Warmed her hands on radiators in offices and banks
- Saved soap scraps and refused to buy full bars
🏦 4. Stored Millions in Suitcases
- Didn’t trust banks
- Kept millions in government bonds in a trunk under her bed
- One time, carried $200,000 in bonds in a carpetbag on a train
🏥 5. Admitted to a Charity Hospital
In her final years, Hetty suffered a hernia.
She:
- Refused surgery because it was “too expensive”
- Stayed in charity hospital wards for the destitute
- Argued over paying 2 cents extra for skim milk
Financial Genius: Her Hidden Talent
While her personal life was grim, her financial record was genius.
📈 She:
- Bought undervalued railroad stocks
- Lent millions to bail out New York City during the Panic of 1907
- Owned entire city blocks in Chicago & NYC
- Refused to speculate — invested with logic, not greed
🔒 She demanded cash, collateral, and control — and never lost money to scams.
🧬 Family Life and Secrets
👨👩👧👦 Husband & Children:
- Married Edward Green (whom she separated from for financial reasons)
- Children: Edward “Ned” Green and Sylvia Green
She forced her daughter’s fiancé to sign a prenup stating he wouldn’t touch Sylvia’s fortune.
Even in love, Hetty feared loss of wealth.
🪦 Death and Legacy
- Died: July 3, 1916, aged 81
- Cause: Stroke after arguing over the cost of milk
- Estate: $100+ million left to her children
- She remains in Guinness World Records as the most miserly human ever recorded
Ironically, her son Ned became the opposite — spending lavishly on mansions, yachts, and science.
⏳ Historical Impact
Hetty Green:
- Was the richest woman in America during her time
- Saved Wall Street during crises
- Lived a life of extreme fear, isolation, and self-denial
- Became the most infamous example of how greed and fear can overshadow brilliance
🔍 Psychological View
Modern experts believe Hetty may have suffered from:
- OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
- Hoarding disorder
- Possible financial trauma from watching others mismanage money
She saw love as risk, trust as a danger, and poverty as a looming shadow — even when she was richer than nations.
Must Read: The Tribe That Lives Almost Entirely on Trees
📚 Final Thoughts: A Woman of Wealth and Warnings
Hetty Green is both:
- A legend of financial wisdom
- And a cautionary tale of human tragedy
Her life teaches us:
“Wealth alone does not guarantee peace. Frugality without compassion becomes cruelty — especially to oneself.”
