Martha Named to Forbes’ List of the Greatest Self-Made Americans

In honor of the United States' semiquincentennial, Forbes just dropped its list of the 250 greatest living self-made Americans. And to no one's surprise, Martha shows up on the list.

From hip-hop stars like Jay-Z and Dr. Dre to fashion designers such as Ralph Lauren to hot dog tycoon Dick Portillo, the list features those who dreamed big and succeeded.

To compile the rankings, Forbes staffers dug through the publication's stories of entrepreneurial capitalism, asked AI, and ran names past a panel of expert judges.

They also took into consideration Forbes’ Self-Made Score, a 1-to-10 ranking that quantifies the “distance traveled” by each individual—separating those who started with nothing from those with a big head start. Only those with a score of nine or 10 made the cut. The final ranking of 250 encompasses financial success, obstacles overcome, and enduring impact.

Related Stories

decorvow's Businesses, Explained

These Throwback Photos of Martha Tell the Story of Her Iconic Life

Plus, in addition to business moguls, the list includes pioneering scientists, Supreme Court justices, and others whose “wealth” is measured in influence and impact, not just dollar signs.

And at number 250, you'll find a very familiar name—Martha.

From a young age, our founder channeled her entrepreneurial spirit, finding ways to work and make money through babysitting and modeling jobs. Her willingness to try new things played a major role in her becoming the powerhouse businesswoman she is today. "Without an open mind, you can never be a great success," she has said.

Our founder put herself through Barnard by modeling and worked as a stockbroker before opening her catering business, which eventually turned into a premier lifestyle brand that includes cookbooks; home, kitchen, and garden product lines; TV shows; restaurants; and more. Her 102nd book, The Martha Way, will publish on May 5.