The story of Getty Green – a millionaire who lived like she had nothing! 🫢🤯 She built an immense fortune but was known for extreme frugality 😐🤦🏻♀️ People say she even wore the same dress for years and denied her children basic care. Told the full story in the this article 👇
Getty Greene is a legendary figure in the world of finance, known for her extreme frugality despite her vast fortune. Her life has sparked many myths and exaggerations, but behind her cautious spending was a sharp financial mind and a determination to grow her wealth.
How Getty Built Her Fortune
Born in Massachusetts in 1834, Getty came from a wealthy family. Her father, a ship captain, amassed a fortune through the whaling business. When he passed away, Getty inherited $7.5 million—a staggering amount at the time. However, instead of simply living off her inheritance, she sought to increase it.
Getty had an exceptional talent for finance. She avoided risky investments, choosing instead to make strategic moves. She focused on railroad bonds, which had plummeted in value after financial crises. By purchasing them at low prices and holding onto them until the market recovered, she made significant profits.
Additionally, she invested in real estate and provided high-interest loans to local governments, ensuring a steady income. Over time, her fortune grew to more than $100 million—equivalent to several billion dollars today.
Getty’s Extreme Frugality
Despite her immense wealth, Getty was known for her extreme thriftiness. She wore the same black dress until it was worn out and avoided unnecessary expenses. She refused to install hot water in her home to save on heating costs and preferred broken cookies at the market because they were cheaper than whole ones.
Her frugality extended to every aspect of her life. She reportedly asked laundresses to wash only the hems of her dresses to save soap and water. Even newspapers were repurposed—her children resold them if possible, and if not, she used them as insulation in clothing.
These habits created an image of Getty as a miser, unwilling to spend even on basic comforts, despite her vast wealth.
Myths and Misconceptions
Not all stories about Getty’s frugality are entirely true. Some claim she neglected personal hygiene, rarely changed clothes, and avoided hot water altogether. However, historical records do not confirm these claims, suggesting they may have been exaggerated.
Another widely told story suggests she refused to pay for her son Ned’s medical treatment, resulting in the amputation of his leg. In reality, Getty and her husband consulted top doctors, who recommended amputation due to the severity of his injury. Getty took care of him herself, ultimately saving his leg—though he later suffered another injury that led to its eventual amputation.
A Lasting Legacy
Getty Greene’s life remains a mix of financial brilliance and eccentric frugality. Whether seen as a symbol of financial wisdom or an unusual character with extreme habits, she left behind a remarkable legacy. Her ability to grow and protect her wealth made her one of the most successful women financiers of her time, proving that wealth does not always lead to luxury.
