Self-made billionaire and innovation pioneer founder of Spanx, the shapewear brand that revolutionized fashion and empowered a generation of female entrepreneurs
Sara Blakely is a self-made billionaire entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Spanx, the innovative shapewear company that revolutionized the fashion industry. Starting with just $5,000 in savings, Sara built Spanx into a global brand, inspiring millions with her journey from door-to-door saleswoman to one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in the world. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and believing in one’s ideas, making her a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.
In 2000, Sara Blakely launched Spanx using only $5,000 in personal savings. After being featured on Oprah’s “Favorite Things” that same year, Spanx rapidly grew into a household name and industry leader in shapewear, with global distribution and a loyal customer base.
In 2012, Forbes named Blakely the youngest self-made woman billionaire in the world. She built Spanx without outside investment, maintaining full ownership while growing the company into a massive success with hundreds of millions in annual sales.
In 2021, Blakely sold a majority stake in Spanx to investment firm Blackstone at a $1.2 billion valuation. To celebrate, she gave each employee $10,000 and two first-class plane tickets, highlighting her commitment to company culture and team recognition.
In 2005, she used a $750,000 prize from the TV show The Rebel Billionaire to launch the Sara Blakely Foundation, which supports women through education and entrepreneurship. In 2013, she became the first female self-made billionaire to join the Giving Pledge, vowing to donate at least half her wealth to charitable causes.
In 2015, Blakely and her husband Jesse Itzler became part of an ownership group that purchased the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks for $850 million. This move made her one of the few female owners in professional sports and expanded her influence beyond fashion and entrepreneurship.
Sara Blakely has made women’s empowerment central to her mission—both in business and philanthropy. Through the Sara Blakely Foundation, she has funded education, entrepreneurship, and leadership opportunities for women in over 60 countries. In 2013, she became the first self-made female billionaire to join the Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of her wealth to causes that uplift women and girls. She also championed equity at home by gifting every Spanx employee $10,000 and two first-class tickets following the company’s billion-dollar deal with Blackstone. Her legacy extends far beyond fashion—it’s about rewriting what’s possible for women everywhere.
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