Good Bad Billionaire Diane Hendricks: Building a fortune
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Nov 3, 2025 Diane Hendricks transformed from a teenage mother on a Wisconsin dairy farm to America's richest self-made woman. She co-founded ABC Supply with her late husband, identifying gaps in the roofing supply market. Their daring expansion turned the company into a national giant. Diane's leadership during the 2008 financial crisis showcased her resilience. Additionally, her investments in Beloit highlight her commitment to local regeneration, while her political influence raises questions about billionaires' roles in society.
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From Farm Girl To Self-Made Billionaire
- Diane Hendricks rose from a teenage mother on a Wisconsin dairy farm to become America's richest self-made woman.
- She co-founded ABC Supply with her husband and built a $22 billion fortune through roofing supplies and property ventures.
Fixer-Uppers Fueled Early Growth
- Diane and Ken bought $10,000 fixer-uppers near Beloit College and renovated them using Ken's crew and Diane's finishing work.
- Over three years they purchased 100 homes, rented to students and reinvested income to grow their property portfolio.
Solve An Industry's Friction Point
- They identified fragmentation in roofing supply and created a specialised distribution chain to serve contractors efficiently.
- Elevating the professionalism and service for roofers became a core competitive advantage for ABC Supply.