Portrait of Madam C.J. Walker, the First Black Woman Millionaire in America

Subscribe to get access

Read more of this content when you subscribe today.

Madam C.J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove; December 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919) was an African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist. She is recorded as the first female self-made millionaire in America in the Guinness Book of World Records. Multiple sources mention that although other women (like Mary Ellen Pleasant) might have been the first, their wealth is not as well-documented.

Portrait of Madam C.J. Walker, ca. 1914.

Subscribe to continue reading

Become a paid subscriber to get access to the rest of this post and other exclusive content.