Is business for men? We present you a selection of the richest and most successful business women.
Estee Lauder
On July 1, 1908, Estée Lauder, the daughter of immigrants, was born in the slums of New York. She went from selling homemade natural cosmetics to the founder of a famous cosmetics brand.
In 1944, together with her husband, they opened their first store in New York. Having rebuilt the building of the former restaurant into a small factory, Este and her husband produced creams at night and sold them during the day. It was then that the foundation of the current corporation of cosmetics and perfumery "Estée Lauder" was laid.
The main secret of Estee Lauder is a successful advertising strategy for the sale of high-quality anti-aging cosmetics. Este herself advised her clients, gave them gifts and offered free samples. She also regularly worked with staff and inspired salespeople with her personal example.
"The most beautiful face in the world is yours" - Estee Lauder
“The most beautiful face in the world is yours,” said Estée Lauder. She said: "My mission is to teach as many women as possible not just to be beautiful, but to remain beautiful."
Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel was born into a family of poor merchants, and after the death of her mother, she ended up in an orphanage. Today, the Chanel fashion house is a model of elegance and luxury.
Coco's recipe for success is a revolutionary and daring take on 1940s-50s fashion. She offered women absolutely unseen trends: simple cut, black outfits, practicality and minimalism.
Miuccia Prada
Miuccia Prada was born in Milan in 1949. She never thought about a fashion career and studied politics, philosophy and political science. In 1978, she inherited Prada Sp. A. and was engaged in the promotion of the company in the high fashion industry.
Miuccia Prada turned a family company into a fashion corporation
Miuccia holds a doctorate in political science and philosophy. In the same year, she met her husband, and now also a business partner, Patrizio Bertelli. In 1989 she introduced her first ready-to-wear line. In 1992, she launched the Miu Miu brand. The House of Prada has acquired such brands as Gilles Sander, Helmut Lang, Azzedine Alaya and others.
Mary Kay Ash
Mary Kay Ash is one of the most successful business women in the United States, having founded her own cosmetics company at the age of 45.
Mary Kay Ash founded Mary Kay at 45
As a child, Mary often heard the magic words "you can do it" from her mother. They formed the basis of her business, and became an inspirational motto for many women working in the Mary Kay cosmetics company.
Helena Rubinstein
Helena was born into a large shopkeeper family in Poland. Having barely mastered the medical profession, she moved to Australia without knowing a word of English. There she began to make creams from local herbs. Today, the Helena Rubinstein cosmetic brand is known throughout the world and is successfully sold in more than 50 countries around the world.
Helena Rubinstein was the first to propose a classification of skin into types.
Many successful women in business have conquered the public through an unconventional approach to doing business. Helena Rubinstein was no exception. She was the first to propose a classification of skin types and applied an integrated approach to the treatment of various skin diseases.
Ruth Handler
The Barbie doll maker got her start in the business of making photo frames. The company was called Mattel. Later, the business retrained to create musical toys and accessories for dollhouses.
In 1959, the firm introduced a Barbie doll designed by Ruth. She sold extremely poorly at first and was heavily criticized for her overtly feminine curves. The doll soon gained unusual popularity; already in 1965, the proceeds from its sales amounted to $ 100 million. Ken was soon created.
The early 1970s fell on hard times for the company. First, a campaign was launched against Barbie by women's rights activists. Sales decreased, and in 1974 the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. After checking the financial statements, it turned out that many of the indicators were falsified by Ruth herself and her husband. A federal investigation began, and charges were filed against Handler for fraud and deliberate deception of investors. Irrefutable evidence was presented in court, and Barbie's "mother" was found guilty.
Beginning in 1975, Handler and her puppet "daughter" Barbie parted ways: the partners expelled Ruth from the company, and the court sentenced her to one and a half months of community service for accounting additions. But the enterprising, energetic woman did not despair. She founded the company "Nieli Mi" for the production of plastic breast prostheses for patients who underwent the same operation as her. Among her clients was the former first lady of America, Betty Ford.
Elena Baturina
The wife of the former mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, is recognized as the richest woman in Russia. Her fortune is estimated at $1 billion.
Baturina and her brother created her own business - the Inteko company, which was engaged in the production of polymer products - in the early 1990s. A few years later, the business was supplemented by its own raw material production based on the Moscow Oil Refinery (MNPZ), which was under the control of the Moscow government. As a result, Inteko managed to occupy almost a third of the Russian market for plastic products.
Elena Baturina earned her first money on polymers
In 2001, the transformation of Inteko into a large investment and construction corporation began. She managed to take control of about a quarter of the capital's panel housing market. A year later, a division of monolithic construction appeared as part of Inteko. Since mid-2002, the company has acquired a number of cement plants, thanks to which it has become the largest cement supplier in the country.
On September 28, 2010, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed Luzhkov as mayor of Moscow due to a loss of confidence. This was preceded by an information campaign in the central media, criticizing the activities of the mayor of the capital, in particular, for assisting in Baturina's business.
In September 2011, Baturina sold a 100% stake in Inteko to Binbank President Mikail Shishkhanov and one of Sberbank's subsidiaries. Today she is the president of Inteco Management.
September 22 is Women in Business Day in the United States. And our today's article is about the richest and most famous businesswomen in the world who run large companies and occupy far from the last places in the famous Forbes list.
1. Indra Nooyi
The CEO of PepsiCo, a globally renowned soft drink company, is a leader in women's business. She constantly ranks first in the rankings of the most influential and successful businesswomen on the planet. An Indian by birth, Indra once went to America to study at the Yale School of Management. For six years she worked on a huge number of international projects related to corporate strategy. A talented woman was noticed and tried to get two well-known companies at once: General Electric and Pepsi. The choice was made in favor of the latter, and this was only a step in its ascent to the heights of the business Olympus.
2. Irene Rosenfeld
The 60-year-old American businesswoman is currently the chairman and chief executive officer of Mondelez International, one of the food giants, a leader in chocolate, lollipops, biscuits, coffee and chewing gum. In 2010, Irene was named the highest paid female executive in the United States. Every year she is included in the Forbs list of the richest and most influential people in the world. And in 2011, she was named the most powerful business woman in the United States. Everything that this woman achieved, she did on her own, thanks to her diligence and determination.
3. Wu Yajun
The Chinese entrepreneur is in the top 20 richest women in the world and leads the list of the world's richest self-made women. She is the richest and most successful woman in China, with a net worth of $5.7 billion. Wu made her fortune in the real estate market. This success is all the more phenomenal given that this business sector is traditionally dominated by men. The motto of the company Wu Yajun founded is "Take care of yourself all your life." By the way, Wu is one of the few businesswomen who can organically combine business and family well-being.
4. Ursula Burns
The CEO of Xerox is the first African-American woman to head one of the largest US corporations. She joined Xerox as a simple engineer-in-training and rose to the position of chief executive of the company. Today, she is also chair of the US Presidential Export Council.
5 Ginny Rometty
An American businesswoman has become the first woman to head one of the largest IT companies in the world. Since 2012, she has been the CEO of IBM and is ranked #1 in the 50 Most Powerful Women in American Business. Virginia started out as a systems engineer, but very soon became head of IBM's international sales division, where she controlled the situation with the sale of products in 170 countries. And since January 1, 2012, the reins of the entire 100-year-old technology giant are in the hands of this business woman.
Once upon a time, the lot of a woman was three K - “kinder, kuhe, kirche” (children, kitchen, church, in the words of the last German emperor Wilhelm II). Fortunately, times are changing and modern ladies can successfully compete with men in the business field and earn enough so that their husbands can take care of the household.
We present you the top 10 richest women in Russia in 2017 according to Forbes.
Field of activity: private investor.
Income: 300 million dollars.
You can, of course, say "oh, this is the ex-wife of Roman Abramovich, that's where the money comes from." But the couple broke up ten years ago, and Irina is still one of the richest Russian women. She spends most of her time on an estate in the English county of Hampshire, where a stable with beautifully trained riding horses is located. Each of the thoroughbred four-legged beauties costs about 400 thousand dollars.
Lady Abramovich is also an avid shopaholic and frequenter of the best London boutiques. In addition to shopping, she often visits the Royal Opera, is fond of collecting paintings by Russian masters and communicates with many celebrities, such as Hong Kong oligarch David Tang and Sir Elton John.
Position held: CEO of INC.
Income: 350 million dollars.
The 57-year-old business woman has been holding her post as head of the Irkutsk Oil Company (INC) since 2000. Under her leadership, INC has earned a number of awards and prizes, including the international award "Business Triumph" and the title of "Best Independent Oil Company in Eastern Europe" from the authoritative financial publication World Finance
In addition to the main position, Sedykh is also a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the region and charitable activities are not alien to her. She paid for the production of a bronze bust of the hero of Russia, Senior Lieutenant Andrei Sherstyannikov, who died in 2000 in a battle with militants in the Argun Gorge. In 2016, Sedykh was awarded the diploma "Patron of the Year" by the Ministry of Culture.
Occupation: co-owner of GC "Commonwealth".
Income: 400 million dollars.
The sale of feed and additives to animal feed is how Natalia and her husband Alexander started their journey into the world of big business. After a successful start, Sodruzhestvo began to buy up enterprises operating in the food industry. Then a number of Ukrainian and Russian poultry farms and a Danish plant producing protein and vitamin supplements were added to the list of acquisitions.
Currently, Sodruzhestvo is the main Russian supplier of GMO and non-GMO soybeans and a producer of lecithin, rapeseed and soybean oils. In 2012, the Japanese company Mitsui & Co became one of the shareholders of Commonwealth (ten percent of the shares were bought by it for $2.2 billion). The Commonwealth factories are located not only in Russia, but also in Denmark and Brazil.
7. Tatyana Kuznetsova
Field of activity: Member of the Management Board of PJSC Novatek.
Income: 400 million dollars.
A new face in the ranking of the richest women in Russia in 2017. Kuznetsova owns 0.2% of the shares of the Russian gas company Novatek, which is one of the ten world leaders in terms of proven natural gas reserves and gas production.
Tatyana Kuznetsova is not only the second most important person on the board of Novatek, but also heads the legal department of this PJSC.
What does: husband's charitable foundation.
Income: 400 million dollars.
The wife of billionaire Andrei Guryev owns a stake in PhosAgro, the largest domestic and European supplier of phosphorus-containing fertilizers. Evgenia's husband is the second person on the board of directors of PhosAgro, and the son of the Guryevs is the head of the enterprise. His name is Andrei, like his father.
The daughter of Evgenia and Andrey, Yulia, together with her mother, participates in the work of a charitable foundation that provides support to low-income citizens, family members of those who died from terrorist attacks and World War II veterans, helps the social rehabilitation of the unemployed, orphans, the disabled and other categories of the population, for some or for reasons unable to exercise their rights on their own.
Field of activity: CEO of Wildberries.
Income: 420 million dollars.
In 2004, Tatyana (at that time - an English tutor) had a child. This forced the young woman to look for new sources of income. With the support of her husband Vladislav, she initially offered clothes and shoes to clients from the German catalogs Otto and Quelle. Moreover, the apartment of the Bakalchuk spouses served as a warehouse for goods. Things went so well that already in 2005 the company Wildberries appeared, which is currently one of the largest online stores in Russia. There you can buy a lot of things: from clothes and shoes to books, toys and jewelry.
Last year, Tatyana was the third most successful business woman on the Forbes list, but since then her income has fallen by $ 80 million.
Field of activity: Member of the Board of Progress Capital.
Income: 450 million dollars.
In the nineties, Belyavtseva, together with Nikolai Bortsov, director of the cannery of the Minplodoovoshkhoz, created the Lebedyansky concern. It has become one of the largest Russian juice producers. It was at this enterprise that such brands as "FrutoNyanya", "Tonus", "I", "Orchard" were made.
Over a ten-year period, from 1998 to 2008, the turnover of Lebedyansky increased from $18 million to $800 million, and the market share grew along with it - from 4% to 30%.
In 2008, PepsiCo and Pepsi Bottling Group became the majority shareholders of Lebedyansky. Thanks to this deal, Belyavtseva became richer by $330 million.
The deal did not include the Progress enterprise (it was wholly owned by Lebedyansky) and the father and son of Bortsov and Belyavtsev remained its main shareholders. This enterprise produces a popular line of products under the brands FrutoNyanya, Malysham and Lipetsk Byuvet.
In 2016, Belyavtseva entered into an agreement with the Mondi Group to sell her Bipak LLC, which produces corrugated cardboard and packaging for food and agricultural products. The amount of this transaction amounted to 2.8 billion rubles.
Since 2016, the position of Olga Belyavtseva in the list of the richest women from Russia has not changed.
Field of activity: manages the C7 Group of Companies
Income: 600 million dollars.
Filev's main business is a private Russian business. The group of airlines owned by the Filev family includes Globus and Sibir, the second after Aeroflot in terms of air traffic in Russia (as of 2016). Moreover, Natalia manages most of the shares of Siberia, thanks to which in 2006 she was able to get into the rating of the most successful women in Russia according to Forbes and has not left it since then.
Together with her father and mother, daughter Tatyana also participates in the family undertaking. Under her patronage, an unusual marketing project was launched: the first music video in zero gravity. It was filmed by Chicago alternative rock band OK Go and S7 Airlines.
Field of activity: private investor.
Income: 600 million dollars.
In the 80s, Elena and Dmitry Rybolovlev, then not yet millionaires, but start-up entrepreneurs, created a clinic providing magnetotherapy services. They invested the money they earned in industrial enterprises. The head of the family became a co-owner of Uralkali and acquired a number of shares in various enterprises, including Silvinit, Azot and Solikamskbumprom.
In 2001, the Rybolovlevs moved to Switzerland, but their marriage lasted only until 2008. The spouses did not enter into a marriage contract, and for a very long time they shared what they had acquired. Only in 2015 did they come to a settlement agreement, according to which Elena got $ 604 million and real estate in Switzerland.
The divorce made Rybolovlev one of the richest brides in Russia. As in 2016, she got an honorable second line in the selection of the most moneyed Russian business women.
Field of activity: Head of Inteco Management.
Income: 1 billion dollars.
One of the richest women in the world and the permanent leader of the top 10 Russian millionaires for the 12th year in a row. In addition to the Inteko corporation, Baturina owns shares in Gazprom and Sberbank. She also owns an international hotel chain.
According to Forbes magazine, Baturina is the only independent "self-made" business woman who has created her own business in the construction industry. She is the only billionaire among the richest businesswomen in Russia.
Elena Baturina managed to turn even her passion for equestrian sports into a profitable business. She owns the Weedern stud farm, founded in the 18th century. It breeds horses of the Hanoverian, Holstein and Trakehner breeds.
This bright and strong woman is living proof that even a girl from a working-class family (Baturina's mother and father worked at the Fraser plant, and not in leadership positions) can achieve great success in life. And not thanks to her millionaire husband (Yuri Luzhkov met Elena while still not being the mayor of the capital), but only to his own mind and business acumen.
Estee Lauder was born on July 1, 1908, a woman who built a cosmetic empire from scratch and became one of the most influential business people of the 20th century. Do you still think that a woman's place is in the kitchen? Then the Weekend project comes to you - with a list of business women who prove the opposite by their example.
1. Estee Lauder: magic recipes and the boss behind the counter
Estée Lauder, the daughter of Jewish immigrants, was born in the slums of New York City and went from selling natural homemade face creams to owning a cosmetics empire. In 2003, Estee Lauder, which she founded, ranked 249th on the list of the 500 largest US corporations with annual revenues of $4.74 billion.
The secret of success : Uncle John's anti-aging cosmetics plus a successful advertising strategy.
Business Principles:"Once you turn your back on the customer, you've lost him."
Estée Lauder was the first to offer her customers free samples and gifts for the purchase and loved to advise clients herself.
"Time is not on your side, but I am!" is just one of her famous advertising slogans.
Evil tongues claimed that such a naive "feminine" approach would not lead to good, but the system launched by Lauder soon bore fruit.
Estee Lauder, 1992, France
"Don't write angry letters"
Lauder preferred to work personally not only with clients, but also with staff: she spent a lot of time behind the counter, inspiring salespeople with her example. “My current position is not the result of dreams or hopes, but of hard work,” she reminded her employees.
"If a woman who is in business is thinking about the success of her marriage, she must subtly give her husband the opportunity to feel strong and significant - and then he will actually be strong and significant."
Her husband Joseph supported Este in all endeavors, being responsible for the financial issues of the company, sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren continued the business when she retired at the age of 87. Now Estee Lauder is headed by the eldest of the two sons of Este and Joseph - Leonard Lauder. He started working for the firm as a delivery boy at the age of 10 and is now ranked 131st on the list of the world's billionaires.
2. Widow Clicquot: champagne worthy of Pushkin
Madame Barbe-Nicole Clicquot (nee Ponsardin) was born in 1777 in Reims in the family of a wealthy textile industrialist. The father was able to successfully marry his daughter to the son of his colleague, Philippe Clicquot, who, in addition to the textile industry, also had a small wine business. The young couple began to develop their father's business, but in 1804 Monsieur Clicquot died unexpectedly, leaving the business in the hands of his widow. Today, the Veuve Clicquot brand ranks second in the world in terms of sales, second only to Moet & Chandon.
The secret of success : elite champagne, created using innovative technologies for that time. She invented a new production method that significantly speeds up the production of champagne and ensures the transparency of the drink: the bottles were now placed neck down so that the sediment collected in the neck, then they were frozen and the ice plug was removed along with the sediment.
Business Principles: Keep track of competitors
Leon Konye. "Portrait of the Widow Clicquot", 1860-1862
Barbe-Nicole Clicquot tried to be one step ahead of her competitors - especially the main one - Jean-Remy Moet. Secretly from everyone, she sent 75 boxes of champagne to Russia, which went with a bang in St. Petersburg at a price of 12 rubles per bottle. "... Of all the good wines that have already hit the heads of the northerners," the manager reported to the hostess, "not a single one resembles the bottling of 1811 ... This marvelous wine has a deadly effect ... Your wine is nectar, it is as strong as Hungarian wine as yellow as gold."
Widow Clicquot or Moet
blessed wine
In a frozen bottle for a poet
It was brought to the table immediately.
(A.S. Pushkin, "Eugene Onegin")
Neither the war of 1812 nor trade restrictions stopped the victorious march of widow Clicquot champagne - Clicquot champagne was drunk on both sides of the barricades. And even Pushkin could not resist.
"Whatever happens - keep your face"
The only daughter of the widow Clicquot Clementine (depicted in the picture above with her mother) was indifferent to the family business and, with much greater willingness, jumped out to marry Count Louis de Chevigne, a ladies' man and a gambler. At first, the count squandered his mother-in-law's fortune with pleasure, and then he took it and released a brochure about his love affairs in the 18+ style. While her daughter burned with shame, the widow Clicquot bought the entire print run and ordered it to be destroyed, but a couple of copies have survived to this day.
3. Helena Rubinstein: The miser gets more
Helena (Chaya) Rubinstein was the eighth child in the family of a Krakow shopkeeper. Having mastered the basics of the medical profession, not knowing English, she traveled from Poland to Australia, where she began making face creams from local ingredients. One of the lines, containing herbs from the Carpathian Mountains, cost Helena ten pence a bottle and sold for six shillings - this woman always knew the value of money. Today, the Helena Rubinstein brand is owned by L'Oréal Corporation, and its products are sold in 50 countries around the world.
The secret of success : the world's first network of beauty salons - first in Australia, then in Europe and America, which used an integrated approach in the treatment of skin diseases. Rubinstein was the first to classify skin into types (dry/oily/normal) and came up with a three-step skin care system that is still used today. By the way, "Beauty Day", after which the clients shone (and now shine) with happiness, leaving a tidy sum in the salon - also her know-how.
Business Principles: Method of whip and ... whip
Portrait of Helena Rubinstein, a native Polish woman who built a career in Austria.
Subordinates nicknamed Rubinstein "woman-tornado" and "tyrant-fighter", she controlled every breath in her salons and cut employees' salaries every now and then. Well-trained and hungry salesmen ran away from the boss in dozens - right into the arms of her closest rival, Elizabeth Arden.
Saving is the way to wealth
One of the richest women in the world, Helena Rubinstein, was known as a real miser: she never dined in restaurants, preferring sandwiches made with her own hands, bargained for every penny.
Even at the age of 92, Rubinstein was unbreakable. To the robbers who once broke into her penthouse, she said: "You can kill me, but I will not allow myself to be robbed."
What Helena never spared money for was art, considering the purchase of paintings a profitable investment. She herself posed for Berar, Sutherland, Dali.
4. Coco Chanel: risk is a noble cause
“Fashion should be accepted, otherwise you will look ridiculous. However, you should accept the new imperceptibly, in small portions,” said Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel, a fashion legend of the twentieth century. A girl from an orphanage, a seamstress in a ready-made dress store, a singer in a cafeteria - Coco Chanel did not immediately get her own empire. But now Chanel's house is an example of luxury and elegance with an annual turnover of about 1.089 billion dollars.
The secret of success : little black dress and Chanel #5
Business Principles: "Don't marry men with change purses"
Coco Chanel, 1920
Coco Chanel did not hide that talent was talent, and her men helped her get on her feet. The first - Etienne, a wealthy heir and sportsman, provided Gabrielle with his apartment, where she opened her first workshop. The real support for her was the young Englishman Arthur Capel - Chanel's greatest love. He saw Coco as a promising businesswoman and in 1910 helped her acquire premises on the rue Cambon in Paris, where she opened her first shop. Very soon she had a Model House in the fashionable resort of Biarritz.
“I don’t do fashion. I myself am fashion,” said Coco.
Don't be afraid to start a revolution
Before Chanel, women were buried under miles of fabric and lace: tight skirts, huge bustles, trains and giant hats. She offered women unprecedented outfits, partly borrowed from the men's wardrobe, and was able to break the stereotype that says that black is a poor and mournful color. For five years, she released only black, and things flew off the shelves in an instant. Chanel created fashion, not paying attention to tradition, regardless of what is accepted and what is not.
Rise from the ashes if you have to
In the late 30s, with the outbreak of World War II, Coco Chanel was forced to close all her boutiques and moved to Switzerland, because in France she was hated for having an affair with a Nazi officer - what a serious blow to her reputation!
Only in 1953 did Chanel return to Paris, where she had to rebuild her business. It took three years to return to its former glory, but now Coco began to produce not only women's clothing, but also bags, shoes, and accessories.
Coco Chanel died in 1971 without leaving heirs. In 1965, the son of Chanel's longtime partner Pierre Wertheimer, Jacques, began to manage the fashion business. Since 1983, the direction of fashion was led by Karl Lagerfeld, who "revitalized the brand" and raised it to a new level.
5. Mary Kay Ash: selling with love
Mary Kay Ash, founder of the self-named company, is considered the most successful female entrepreneur in American history. As of January 2013, Mary Kay has worldwide sales of more than $3 billion, and its products are represented in 35 countries around the world, where it is distributed by about 2.5 million independent consultants.
The secret of success : Mary Kay Ash didn't just start a cosmetics company. She created a new corporate culture, almost a religion, based on motivation, in which each team member has a role and a magical job title - for example, National Leader. According to Mary Kay, she created a Company "that has a heart."
Business Principles: "You can do it!"
This is the basis of the foundations of Mary Kay's philosophy, because she herself did the almost impossible - she made the whole world believe in the story of Cinderella again. At the age of 17, Mary Kay got married, gave birth to three children, and a few years later, her husband filed for divorce. For 25 years, Mary Kay worked as a sales agent, but never received a promotion (the position was given to a man), at the age of 45 she quit to write a book about women in business. In the process, Mary Kay realized that her manuscript looked like a business plan for an ideal company she wanted to work for. Then she decided to create it herself. Mary Kay founded Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1963 with the support of her 20-year-old son Roger, with a starting capital of $5,000.
American entrepreneur and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Mary Kay Ash
"The basis of a leader is not the mind, but the heart. You can love people and not be a leader for them, but you cannot be a leader and not love people."
These kinds of business principles, invented by Mary Kay Ash, can be listed for a long time, and in the end this whole set is like a Bible. However, sales figures prove that this industry of beauty and kindness does not work in vain, bringing happiness, if not to consumers, then to employees - for sure. Here is the "success story" of one of the National Leaders of the company Angelina Antipenko, published on the Mary Kay website: "Looking back at the path I have traveled, I feel a huge positive change in myself and in the world around me. let in all the love, all the beauty, all the energy that Mary Kay put into the Dream Company she created."
6 Ruth Handler And The Barbie Universe
A simple American, Ruth Handler, had been working since she was 10 and knew exactly what she wanted to achieve in the future - to go to college and earn money on her own. In 1945, together with her husband Elliot and his friend, she organized a company for the production of photo frames and toy furniture, which Ruth made from the remnants of wood, and then Barbie dolls - Ruth's main invention. Now Mattel is an international leader in toys and family products, one of America's top 100 employers. Barbie dolls provide a third of the corporation's sales.
The secret of success : a curvaceous blonde plastic doll that replaced sexless baby dolls and became a favorite toy for girls of all peoples of the world from 1959 to this day.
Business Principles: If you want to produce a product, watch the consumers
Ruth Handler, inventor of the Barbie doll, presents a special 40th anniversary doll. New York.
Ruth designed her Barbie by watching her daughter Barbara play with a paper doll. “I think that such toys do not contribute to the development of self-esteem in girls - she doesn’t have breasts at all!” Ruth said later. Barbie could be dressed in luxurious outfits and combed, introduced to Ken and settled in a toy house - the production of millions of accessories, of course, was taken over by Mattel.
Television is the engine of sales
Even before the creation of Barbie, Ruth understood how best to promote the product - the Handlers for the first time started advertising their toys on TV between Disney cartoons, while the rest of the manufacturers operated through a retailer. The company spent $500,000 on advertising, but two years later earned $14 billion. So when the grown-ups were skeptical of the blond new "breasted" Ruth already knew what to do, and again turned to massive advertising on TV screens. The first batch of Barbies in the amount of 351 pieces worth $ 3 sold out instantly. In the first 10 years, Barbie brought $ 500 million into the pockets of the Handler couple. Subsequently, Ruth Handler proved herself as a screenwriter when creating cartoons about her character, in particular, "Barbie and the Nutcracker".
7. Oprah Winfrey: everyone will talk
Last week, American TV presenter Oprah Winfrey topped Forbes magazine's list of the most influential celebrities for the fifth time in her career. Oprah's fortune is estimated at 2.7 billion dollars - a female record in show business. She is the first and only black female billionaire in history, owns the Oprah Winfrey Network, Oprah Magazine and satellite radio station Oprah Radio.
The secret of success : The Oprah Show, the most watched show on American television, ran for 25 seasons from 1986 to 2011. In a white leather chair opposite the presenter sat the great and famous - US presidents, including Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Mike Tyson, Whitney Houston, Sarah Palin, but even more - ordinary Americans with their stories, problems, tragedies and recipes for happiness. Oprah is able to "split" any guest: even cyclist Lance Armstrong admitted to using doping on her show, although he had been silent for many years before that.
Business Principles: "Know that you are on your way to success if you are doing work that you are not getting paid for."
From the moment when Oprah began to speak, she was always on stage - as a child she interviewed crows on the fence, at school she grabbed every opportunity to show her oratory skills, participated in all competitions. On one of them - "Miss Fire Prevention" - she was noticed by the host of the WVOL radio station and called to read the news on the air. It was her first paid job, Oprah combined work with her studies in high school and received one hundred dollars a week.
"You only get in life what you dare to ask for. Don't be afraid to raise the bar."
At the age of 17, Oprah Winfrey became the youngest local media reporter and Nashville's first black female television reporter, and in 1986 created her best show ever.
"The more you give, the more you get."
Oprah's childhood was not easy - she lived with her grandmother on a farm, in a house without sewerage. At the age of 9, Oprah was raped by her cousin, at the age of 14 she gave birth to a son who died after birth. It is not known what would have happened to Oprah if not for the state program that provided access to a prestigious suburban school. When the TV presenter began to earn millions, she pledged to pay for the education of poor black children. To date, Oprah has spent more than $400 million on charitable educational programs.
8. Indra Nooyi: business in a sari
Once upon a time, Indra Nooyi could not afford a business suit, so she went to interviews in a sari, and today the CEO of PepsiCo is on the tenth line of the list of the most influential women in the world according to Forbes. This year, the company's revenue grew by 1.2% to $13 billion.
The secret of success : a good education. Indra realized early on that learning is light. In college, she studied chemistry, physics and mathematics, then entered the Indian Institute of Management, after which she put her knowledge into practice in a branch of Johnson & Johnson. At 22, she decided, contrary to tradition, to go to the United States and continue her studies at Yale University. "For a young girl from a conservative family, from the Brahmin caste, to go abroad alone - it was impossible to imagine!" she said afterwards.
Business Principles: Work, work and work
PepsiCo President and CEO Indra Nooyi K. holds a bottle of Pepsi at a press conference in New Delhi, December 18, 2006.
The results of Indra's work speak for themselves. By 1994, the management specialist was being torn apart by the giants General Electric and Pepsi, and she chose the latter, tempted by the freedom she was given to make decisions. Nooyi managed to outrun main competitor Coca-Cola and played a major role in two of Pepsi's most important deals: the purchase of the Tropicana brand and the acquisition of Quaker Oats. Thanks to her, Pepsi expanded its range and began to produce snacks. By the way, Nuyi still often comes to work in a sari.
9. JK Rowling: Wealth at the Waving of a Magic Wand
British housewife-loser JK Rowling wrote six books, and that was enough to spend the rest of her life in luxury and wealth. Rowling is ranked 78th on the Forbes list of the most powerful women in the world, is the richest woman in the UK and can afford to build a mini-Hogwarts in the garden.
The secret of success : the story of the young magician Harry Potter, written in an Edinburgh cafe, which conquered the world.
Business Principles: "I never set myself the goal of becoming rich. Many years ago I received a letter from some organization - I think from America - that wanted to declare me entrepreneur of the year. I replied that, unfortunately, I had to refuse this title, because it's unlikely that I'll ever make a lot of money. It was never my plan. I just wrote a book and thought it was a good book. That's it."
Wealth really hit Rowling suddenly, and at first she didn’t really know what to do with it - she just spent money right and left. But very soon, Joan learned to control and increase the income stream that brings her magical world - the production of films, souvenirs, publishing books and so on. In 2012, the books in the Potter series became available electronically from the Pottermore store, which Rowling herself receives most of the proceeds from: she became the first writer who did not cede the rights to electronic sales to publishers. At the same time, Rowling first published a book for adults, "Random Vacancy", which became a bestseller simply because it was written by the author of "Harry Potter".
10. Elena Baturina: Moscow, the bells are ringing
In 2010, the former first lady of Moscow and the first Russian billionaire Elena Baturina entered the top three richest business women in the world according to Forbes magazine. In 2012, in an interview with The Times, she estimated her net worth at $1.1-1.2 billion.
The secret of success : the company "Inteko" created by Baturina, which began with the production of plastic products - basins and chairs - under her leadership became one of the most profitable enterprises in Russia. According to experts, Elena Baturina's Inteko is a whole era in the real estate market, a company that in the early 2000s shaped the market and dictated its development. Baturina's activities in the Moscow housing market also caused a lot of criticism - the company was accused of obtaining lucrative contracts due to the fact that Baturina is the wife of Yuri Luzhkov.
Business Principles: "It's very good that I'm a woman. A woman will always find something to do."
Elena Baturina began to build her career even before meeting with Yuri Luzhkov. After graduating from the evening department of the Ordzhonikidze Moscow Institute of Management, she got a job as a design engineer at the Fraser plant, where her parents worked. Then Elena moved to the Moscow Institute of Economic Problems of the Integrated Development of the National Economy, engaged in cooperation in the executive committee, where Yuri Luzhkov was chairman of the commission. It was there that they met.
"I gave bribes, did not pay kickbacks"
In an interview with the REN TV channel, Baturina admitted that the status of the wife of the mayor of Moscow did not help her do without bribes to officials. "The principle is very simple: you never know that she is the mayor's wife, what do I have to lose on this?", - said the former owner of Inteko.
“Business is international. You see, this is a purely Russian concept that Russian money should work only for Russia. No, business should work where it is convenient for it. Because when a person realizes himself in business, he realizes his ideas in business. Where they will be implemented, in general, all the same.
A few years ago, after the dismissal of her husband from the post of mayor of the capital, Baturina sold the company and left for London, where both daughters of the spouses study. She continues to develop her business internationally. Its main direction is investments in real estate, as well as the hotel business.
Prepared by Elena Kostomarova
Do not be upset if you still have not found your calling. The most valuable successes in life do not come overnight. Most successful people came to their successful self-realization much later than they wanted in their youth.
Below are life examples that are known in the history of business, when success came only closer to the second half of life. But, nevertheless, no one regrets anything. After all, their achievements, which they gave to this world, will benefit people for decades to come. Self-realization of each of us benefits the whole world. Therefore, every person should devote his whole life to his self-realization. After all, this is the main success in the life of each of us.
People who became successful businessmen in retirement age
Businessmen who have achieved success in old age:
- Ray Kroc founded McDonald's at age 52.
All his life, Ray sought to create his own business. Whatever he had to do. From a paper cup dealer to a real estate agent (performed in a jazz band, worked at a radio station). For some time I had to sell mixers for catering establishments. Once I met the McDonald brothers, who ran an unusual restaurant with the fastest customer service in the small town of Des Plaines. In fact, the business idea itself found Ray and he put all his life experience into it. Ray bought the restaurant, did not change the name, but significantly improved the business. Equipped with all the necessary equipment for fast food preparation. Experience in the work of a real estate agent brought the idea to create a whole network of such restaurants. In addition, sell franchises and earn on renting real estate (their own restaurants). During his life, starting at the age of 52, Ray managed to create: the world's largest chain of fast food restaurants "McDonald's"; University of Hamburgerology; several charities. - Amancio Ortega, owner of the Zara chain (a large chain of clothing stores).
Amancio was born into a poor family and did not even finish high school. At the age of 13, he already worked as a messenger for a tailor who sewed only for wealthy clients. Then he was engaged in corrugation of fabrics and drapery, and later switched to an apprentice to an Italian fashion designer. The young man not only sewed, but also learned the pricing scheme in his craft. Even then, he had the idea to reduce the number of markups, which is the basis of the concept of the Zara clothing empire. At 25, Amancio worked as a sales manager for a clothing store. At that time, his concept was confirmed: the narrow market for expensive clothes can be expanded by reducing costs. Then, for the experiment, Amancio bought expensive fabrics and, using his own designed patterns, sewed clothes, significantly saving on material. The clothes sold out quickly. Its price was affordable even for ordinary students. At the age of 27, Amancinio and his wife decided to open their own knitwear factory. The main products were dressing gowns, nightgowns and lingerie. But the business developed very slowly. When Amancio was 39 years old, he unexpectedly received the largest order for the supply of white linen. For the implementation of a large order, it was necessary to invest all the available capital. From the proceeds of a large order, the first Zara store in Spain was created. And after 10 years, the Zara chain of stores spread throughout Europe. In the European market, where there is high competition for expensive clothes, the then unknown Zara brand did not cause fear of losing market share. But Zara, with each opening of a new store, created a stir among buyers. Clothing attracted by low prices, high quality fabrics and trendy designs. So Paris, New York and other major cities around the world later submitted. Another important "secret weapon" of Zara was the ability to change collections in just a few days. In 2001, Amancio Ortega decided to list a quarter of the shares on the public exchange. Demand soared instantly by 22% the very next day. So Amancio Ortega became the third richest man in Spain. - Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay cosmetics for women and men.
Until the age of 45, she was engaged in direct sales, working as an agent in various companies. After 25 years of successful career, Mary Kay Ash trained men in her craft. So it was until one of the students was put in charge of Mary with a salary 2 times higher than his teacher. This fact prompted Mary Kay Ash to write a book that would help women achieve greater opportunities in their careers. The book was written in the format of a marketing plan that served as a tool for creating her own Mary Kay company. At 45, Mary decides to invest all her experience and all her savings of $ 5,000 into creating her own business based on direct sales of cosmetics. The secret of the Mary Kay concept is simple: inspire employees to success and career growth, taking into account all the standards of the business world. During her life, Mary Kay Ash wrote 3 books that became bestsellers. The book with her autobiography has sold 1 million copies worldwide in several languages. The book "On the ability to work with people" is now a teaching material at Harvard Business School. The book "All this can be yours" became a bestseller in the first days of sales. - Henry Ford created Ford his own car company after 40 years.
Born into a family of farmers in the vicinity of Detroit. At 16, he ran away from home to work in Detroit. Over time, he held the position of acting mechanical engineer, and after a while he already worked as a chief engineer. When Henry turned 30, in his free time, he assembled his first car. At 36, he became a co-owner of the Detroit Automobile Company. But due to controversy, he left at the age of 39 to create his own company for the production of affordable cars. The company's slogan is "a car for everyone". Immediately after the start of work, the Ford Motor Company faced a competitor with a monopoly in the segment of affordable cars. Success came to the company when Ford was already 45 years old. Then the company released the successful Ford T in 1908. During his life, Henry defended 161 US patents. He pioneered the use of an industrial assembly line for the mass production of automobiles. He wrote the book "My Life, My Achievements", which became the basis for the political economy phenomenon - Fordism.
- J. K. Rowling and "Harry Potter" author of a series of books.
The famous British writer, before her popularity, worked as a secretary-translator of scientific works of Amnesty International. Over time, she divorced her husband. By the age of 32 she was a single mother and lived on welfare. The idea to write a book arose at the age of 25, it was 1990. But at first it was more like a hobby. In 1997, the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was published, and JK Rowling's life changed dramatically. In 10 years, 6 sequels to Harry Potter have been published. In total, over 400 million books have been sold and several awards have been collected. Now J.K. Rowling is writing adult books, such as the crime novel The Call of the Cuckoo.
Each of these people, achieving success in their lives, brought great benefits to other people. In the history of business, there are many more successful personalities and life examples when people do not immediately find their purpose, but spend their whole lives on it. And it's worth it.
The richest women in Russia in 2016. A PHOTO
Named the richest Russian women in 2016. The rating is headed by Elena Baturina, Elena Rybolovleva and Tatyana Bakalchuk.
Elena Baturina, Elena Rybolovleva and Tatyana Bakalchuk are in the lead in the top 25 richest Russian women.
1. Elena Baturina - $1.1 billion
Once again, the wife of the ex-mayor of Moscow, Elena Baturina, topped the list of the richest women in Russia. Her fortune is estimated at $1.1 billion.
Most of the time, Luzhkov's ex-wife spends in London, and prefers to invest in Europe and the USA. The 53-year-old entrepreneur, philanthropist and philanthropist is the president of Inteco Management and owns a chain of hotels.
2. Elena Rybolovleva - $600 million
Elena Rybolovleva, a graduate of the Perm Medical Academy, is the ex-wife of Perm billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev. In 2015, as a result of the divorce proceedings with Dmitry Rybolovlev, she sued her ex-husband for 604 million dollars. Now, together with her youngest daughter Anna, she lives in Switzerland.
3. Tatyana Bakalchuk - $500 million
CEO of Wildberries online store.
In 2004, an English teacher on maternity leave decided to earn some money by reselling clothes from the German catalogs Otto and Quelle on the Internet, and seeing the success of his wife, her husband Vladislav helped Tatyana Bakalchuk establish an online store. “We did not expect that this would be a super project,” Bakalchuk admitted to reporters. Today, a small family business is the largest online clothing store in Runet.
4. Olga Belyavtseva - $400 million
Member of the Board of Directors of Progress Capital.
The founder of the Assol company, which was the main distributor of the Lebedyansky plant. In 2004, Olga exchanged her company for a 20% stake in the plant, using foreign business planning experience, and did not lose. Already in 2008, Belyavtseva sold her part of the shares for $330 million.
At the moment, she owns a 25% stake in the Progress plant, which was previously withdrawn from the patronage of Lebedyansky, which produces mineral water and baby food, and is a member of the board of directors of the company.
5. Natalia Lutsenko - $325 million
Co-owner of GC "Sodruzhestvo".
Natalia and Alexander Lutsenko started their business in 1994 in Minsk trading in feed and feed additives, later they bought several poultry farms in Russia and Ukraine and a plant for the production of protein and vitamin supplements in Denmark.
Now Sodruzhestvo Group of Companies is the largest supplier of soybeans in Russia and a producer of vegetable oils, including soybean. Factories are located in Russia, Denmark and Brazil. Sodruzhestvo Group of Companies is developing a logistics business: building terminals for transshipment of agricultural products (in particular, it owns a terminal for transshipment of tropical vegetable oils in Kaliningrad).
6. Irina Abramovich - $300 million
Private investor.
The ex-wife of the famous oligarch Roman Abramovich.
7. Evgenia Guryeva - $260 million
Member of the Board of the Andrey Guryev Charitable Foundation.
The wife of the former senator from the Murmansk region Andrey Guryev.
8. Maria Sharapova - $260 million
Famous Russian tennis player.
9. Natalia Kasperskaya - $190 million
CEO of the InfoWatch group of companies, founder of Kaspersky Lab.
10. Natalia Fileva - $190 million
The main owner of Siberia and Globus airlines.
In 1997, the spouses Natalia and Vladislav Filev bought out the shares of Siberia Airlines from employees. Immediately after the 1998 crisis, they became the owners of a controlling stake in the enterprise and started developing the business through the acquisition of small air carriers. Now the liners of Siberia Airlines carry over 10 million passengers. Natalya Fileva graduated from the Novosibirsk State Technical University and completed her postgraduate studies at the Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation.
11.
Lyudmila Antipova - $170 million Co-owner of the Ariant group.
12.
Marina Sedykh - $160 million. CEO and co-owner of the Irkutsk Oil Company.
13.
Guzelia Safin – $145 million. Deputy General Director of TAIF.
14.
Hob's Love - $140 million Member of the Management Board of NK Lukoil.
15.
Elena Kretova - $135 million Co-owner of the Ariant group.
16.
Olga Shuvalova - $125 million Private investor.
17.
Lyudmila Andreeva - $100 million Co-owner of "220 Volt".
18.
Lyudmila Aristova - $100 million Co-owner of the Ariant group.
19.
Olga Golubeva - $95 million Chairman of the Board of the Petersburg City Bank.
20.
Svetlana Bortsova - $90 million Co-owner of Progress Capital.
21.
Nina Metlenko - $90 million Vice President for Economics, MPBK Ochakovo.
22.
Alisa Chumachenko - $80 million Private investor.
23.
Tatyana Orlova - $75 million Member of the Board of Directors of Flybridge Asset Management.
24.
Alla Rakshina - 75 million dollars. Financial Director of "Maria-Ra".
25.
Galina Rakshina - $75 million Co-owner of the retail chain "Maria-Ra".
She was looking for a rich husband. The answer she received from the banker just killed everyone on the spot!
This girl was looking for a rich husband using dating forums. She wrote the following:
“I'm not going to lie why I'm here. This year I turn 25 years old. I am very attractive. With good taste and sense of style. I want to marry a guy who earns 500+ thousand dollars a year. You may assume that I am greedy. But no. This is not true. So you understand: in New York, someone who earns a million dollars a year is considered to be a member of the middle class. And I don't want to be a beggar.
My conditions are not so unrealistic. There is someone on this site whose annual income is 500 thousand dollars.
dollars? Or are you all already married? Another question: "What do I need to do to marry a rich man like you?"
Everyone I've dated before didn't make more than $250,000 a year. So that seems to be the ceiling for me. Can you answer a few of my questions? For example:
1) Where do you - rich bachelors - usually hang out? (Please write your favorite bars, restaurants, gyms, preferably with addresses).
2) What ages of men should I best target?
3) Why are most rich men's wives so ugly?
4) How do you know who is suitable for you as a wife, and who - only as a girl? The role of a girl does not interest me as much as the role of a future wife.
I can't wait for your reply.
Your beauty."
The CEO of one of the largest US banks answered her this way:
"Dear Beauty!
I read your post on the forum with great interest. I suppose that many girls have the same. Let me analyze your situation from an investment point of view.
My annual income is over $500,000. This is exactly what you are looking for. So I'm sure I'm not wasting my time. As a businessman, I can say that marrying you is a bad decision. Everything is very simple. Let's explain to you why.
What you are trying to do is barter "beauty" for "money", i.e. subject A offers beauty and subject B pays for it. There seemed to be no tricks.
Despite this, the big problem is that your beauty will fade, and my money will not be lost for no apparent reason. In the future, my income is likely to multiply, unlike your beauty.
In economic terms, we are two assets. My value will go up and yours will go down. And not just like that, but exponentially.
Imagine that the relationship with you is an act of trading. Like any trade on Wall Street, they have their position.
If the market price of you as an asset falls, we will sell it. To continue to own such an asset is simply pointless. The same goes for the marriage you're longing for. As cruel as it sounds, the most optimal solution to the issue of assets that quickly and rapidly depreciate is to sell or lease them.
Any man who earns more than 500 thousand dollars a year, a priori, cannot be a fool. Of course, people like me will only date you, but will never marry you. My advice to you is to tie up with these searches. Instead, look for ways to get rich and make that much money a year on your own. Then the chances of finding a rich fool will increase.
I hope that my answers will be useful to you.
And it's true. True beauty is not a colorful wrapper, but what lies deep inside.
Something that never fades - not tomorrow, not in 50 years.
Many people want to start their own business, but the fear of failure prevents them from realizing their dream: little money, no own premises, nothing to buy equipment, corruption ... The stories of those who have achieved success show that you can make a profit even in difficult times. Their secret lies in the development of interesting ideas, diligence, development orientation, cost reduction and building strong relationships with customers and partners.
Is it worth starting a business in a crisis? What are the prospects? What to do if there is no start-up capital? How to act when there is not enough knowledge and experience? There are many reasons why would-be entrepreneurs give up their dream of starting a business (see Figure 1).
Fig. 1 Key problems at the stage of starting a business
For some, these difficulties become a real obstacle, someone believes that the crisis is not the right time to start a successful business from scratch. The examples of those who, in spite of difficulties, open their own business, convince us of the opposite.
Story 1. Minigolf for everyone
The idea of creating a mini-golf club belongs to Nizhny Novgorod students Philip Mazurov and Ksenia Zhirkova. In the summer of 2015, the guys developed a business plan, rented premises in a popular shopping and entertainment complex in the center of Dzerzhinsk, purchased equipment via the Internet and organized an advertising campaign.
Initial investment - 200,000 rubles.
Self-sufficiency - 3 months.
Now, according to Philip, there is a payback period for equipment and advertising.
What is the secret of success?
- In democracy. Even in the regional center there is only one mini-golf course - in a closed club, it is not intended for everyone. Philip and Ksenia made mini-golf affordable by giving lessons for 150 rubles per hour
- In the absence of hired employees: entrepreneurs still manage on their own
- The mini-golf club is in a good location: its regular visitors are families with children, local entrepreneurs, lovers of this sport of all ages
- In health benefits: minigolf develops coordination, dexterity, eye, accuracy, the ability to control your body.
- In easy promotion: the minigolf club quickly became popular through word of mouth, flyer distribution and stationary advertising in the mall.
The nearest plans include holding a city mini-golf tournament.
Story 2. Prepare gifts in summer
The idea of distribution of New Year's gifts belongs to the head of the Snezhel company from Nizhny Novgorod, Ilya Petrov.
The entrepreneur saw that the demand for products not of "conveyor" quality, but focused on a specific customer, was growing on the market, and he occupied a free niche.
Initial investment - 600,000 rubles.
Profitability in the first year - 50%.
To date, the company's turnover is more than 5 million rubles.
The history of this enterprise is a vivid example of a successful business from scratch, which its founder objectively calls “off-season”: the New Year holidays are only a few days, and preparation for them lasts all year: from assortment formation to gift wrapping.
What is the secret of success?
- In active development and maintenance of the client base. Not a single corporate customer was lost during the crisis
- From reliable suppliers. 7 years ago, gifts from Snezhelya were based on ROSHEN products, now sweets from Moscow, Novosibirsk, Belgorod, Murmansk
- In the exit to the retail segment (kindergartens, schools). Snezhel counters low-quality store gifts with products carefully selected in accordance with the tastes of customers with obligatory novelties in the assortment.
- At democratic prices: the enterprise “works without attracting additional capital and borrowed money, which allows not to raise prices, laying interest on the loan in them.
This type of business has a number of risks: you can “not guess” with the assortment, do not sell the packaging ordered in advance with the symbols of the year, do not have time to hire packers during the season and rent a room for a temporary warehouse. The success of "Snezhelya" is in competent planning of activities: early study of the assortment, demand for the composition of gifts. Instead of hired employees in the New Year's "marathon" to redistribute the functionality between full-time employees with experience, to conclude a long-term contract with a warehouse, taking into account the seasonality of the business.
Story 3. Family photo studio
Photo studios are one of the most competitive segments of the service market, but active and creative people succeed here too. An example is the family photo studio "On the Moon" by Nizhny Novgorod photographer Alena Beznosova.
The initial investment is 170 thousand rubles for the renovation of the premises, the purchase of equipment, the installation of decorations and interiors.
Payback - 4 months.
Tatyana Alekseeva, 2016-07-31
17 Inspiring Movies About Great Women You Should Know About
The cure for despondency in a convenient dosage!
All of us have those days when we give up and want to hide from the whole world in a closet, turn off the phone and pretend to be dead.
At such moments, more than anything in the world, I want to see some kind of proof that all is not lost. And the best consolation is to watch a good film about those who have achieved dizzying success, despite much more difficult obstacles ...
Here are 17 biopics about strong women that will make you believe in yourself again:
17. Diana: A Love Story (2013).
Princess Diana is the most popular woman of her time, even during her lifetime called "the princess of human hearts." She won the hearts of millions, everyone confessed their love to her - from the Prince of England to powerful billionaires.
But who did she love?
16. Lovelace (2013).
The life story of the famous porn actress Linda Lovelace, who played the main character in the film Deep Throat.
A young, inexperienced girl meets her future tormentor, and part-time husband, who, without thinking twice, leads her into the porn business. Once in sexual slavery, Linda becomes completely dependent on her husband and is doomed to fulfill all his whims and desires.
To force his young wife to be obedient, the husband beats her. It is on beatings and coercion that the porn career of a girl known to millions of fans of this genre is built ...
15. Joan of Arc (1999)
One day, during the Hundred Years War, 19-year-old Frenchwoman Jeanne has a vision in the forest, which eventually comes true. She knew that her village would be burned to the ground, her own sister would be raped and then killed.
And so it happened, and the seer could not prevent troubles.
After what happened, the strong-willed d'Arc goes to the Dauphin Charles with new clues from above and asks for an army to endure several battles. The girl is given a detachment, and within four days she neutralizes the enemy, not suspecting that such heroism will play a cruel joke on her ...
14. Iron Lady (2011).
Margaret Thatcher is not just a woman, and the "iron lady" is not just a nickname. This absolutely unique person has become an example for many, and almost everyone is familiar with her great achievements.
But what was Thatcher's life like from the inside? That's what the movie is about. The biography of the 71st Prime Minister of Great Britain from the very beginning of a career in politics to the present day will allow the viewer to get to know an amazing woman who was able to reach unprecedented heights and win the respect of millions of men...
13. Selena (1997).
The inimitable Jennifer Lopez starred in a biopic about the life of Selena Quintanilla-Perez, a famous Latin American performer of the early 1990s.
Selena was from a Texas Mexican family. The singer's creative path began in early childhood, when the girl was only 9 years old. Already at the age of 12, Selena recorded a studio album with the group, and after 3 years the young singer received her first award.
At a very young age, Selena gained incredible popularity and began to release her own collection of clothes. The picture tells the story of a resounding success that fell on the head of a talented Latin American woman, and of the tragic events that ended the singer's bright life...
12. Joanna - a woman on the papal throne (2009).
The plot of the film takes place near the Vatican in 814, when the amazing girl John is born. From childhood, she grows up as a smart child, ahead of many boys in her thirst for knowledge.
Soon John realizes that it is impossible for a woman to achieve high positions and recognition of society on an equal footing with men. After receiving the best education she can, Joanna disguises herself as a boy, cuts ties with the family who can betray her, and goes to the Vatican to serve the church. There she becomes the personal physician of Pope Sergius, and soon she herself takes his place ...
11. Coco before Chanel (2009).
The history of Coco Chanel before she became famous all over the world.
Growing up in an orphanage, Gabrielle and her sister are used to relying only on themselves in life. During the day they work as seamstresses, and at night they entertain the audience with light songs in the restaurant. Because of the then especially popular chansonette, our heroine was given the nickname Coco.
Gabriel meets officer Etienne Balsan, a wealthy visitor to their establishment. He invites the girl to visit his estate. It is assumed that there will be a big interesting company.
The Englishman Arthur stands out among the guests, and Koko is intrigued by him. Strong feelings swept over the couple, but will the lovers be able to be together? ..
10. Jackie (2016).
About Jacqueline Kennedy - the first lady of the United States in the early 1960s, the most popular woman of her time, an icon of style - dozens of books have been written and many films have been shot, but the huge interest in her life does not fade over the years.
In this tape, the authors reproduced one of the tragic moments in American history - the assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas - and the next few days, showing these events through the eyes of Jacqueline herself. The whole world admired her fortitude, dignity and self-control. But what did this woman really experience?
9. Gia (1998).
Angelina Jolie played the famous 1970s model Gia Carangi, who became the first dark-haired girl on the cover of glossy magazines. The story that formed the basis of the film is woven from many memories of the girl's friends, her relatives and people who once worked with her. From an incredibly bright and extraordinary person by the age of 26, she turned into a complete drug addict.
At a very early age, unprecedented popularity and huge fees fell on her head. After quitting her job at her father's diner, she went to conquer New York, where she managed to realize a childhood dream. But, despite her beauty and fame, she never managed to find a loved one who could support her in difficult times. In a few years, she fell from the Olympus of fame, dropping to trading in a supermarket, and then prostitution ...
8. Julie & Julia: Cooking Happiness with a Recipe (2009).
A film about two women from different generations, whose fates nonetheless intersect thanks to their love of cooking.
One runs a blog, trying to color the gray office routine with her favorite hobby. The second is an embassy wife trying to realize herself. Both find solace in cooking.
A tape about how, in an effort to achieve a cherished goal, the main thing is not to quit what you started halfway, to endure all the trials, to remain optimistic and appreciate the support of loved ones.
7. Big eyes (2014).
The picture before us appears America in the heyday of the bright 1950s. A completely new, previously unknown trend is emerging in art - pop art.
The creator of this trend is the artist Walter Keane, who paints pictures of children with huge eyes. The works of the new master become a hit, Walter gains incredible fame as a genius of modern art, gaining more and more popularity.
But unexpectedly, his wife Margaret accuses her husband of fraud, stating that she is the true author of the paintings. So who is the liar in this story?
6. Wild (2014).
After surviving the death of her mother and separating from her husband, Cheryl Strayed decides to give herself a third test. The 26-year-old writer embarks on a dangerous 2,650-mile mountain trail on foot.
Having wiped her legs into blood, having endured many dangerous days and nights, she meets amazing people on her way, rethinks her existence and learns to enjoy life again...
5. What Love Can Do (1993).
Few rock superstars have had such a dramatic fate as Tina Turner.
Born Anna Mae Bullock, this unassuming girl seemed to get her lucky ticket the moment successful musician and producer Ike Turner became her husband.
Even in her worst nightmare, she could not foresee that when her fame outgrows her husband's popularity, her life will become a nightmare.
Hayk turned from a handsome guy into a monster, out of jealousy for her fame, beating her husband half to death. And who knows how the fate of the singer would have been, if not for the music ...
4. Queen (2006).
Film interpretation of the behind-the-scenes relationship between the English Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair, developing against the backdrop of numerous problems that arose in connection with the tragic death of Princess Diana.
August 1997 The favorite of the United Kingdom, Princess Diana, died in a car accident. Queen Elizabeth II, despite all the expectations of British society, retires to Balmoral Castle, where she tries to realize the full scale of the loss that has befallen Great Britain.
However, newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair understands that the current situation could turn ordinary Britons away from the throne. Therefore, the entire burden of responsibility for finding a compromise between the deeply personal tragedy of the royal house and the desire of the public to see its public manifestations falls on his shoulders ...
3. Frida (2002).
Biographical film about the most famous Mexican artist - Frida Kahlo.
Having got into a terrible accident in her youth, Frida breaks her spine. Doctors put an end to her full life, doubting that the girl will ever be able to stand on her feet. Lying in plaster, she draws self-portraits, thus escaping boredom.
Despite the doctors' predictions, Frida is learning to walk again. Having become famous for her talented work, the girl agrees to become the wife of the womanizer Diego Rivera.
He is faithful to her in his thoughts, but in life he regularly cheats, referring to the male polygamous nature ...
2. Elizabeth (1998).
Shortly before the Protestant Elizabeth ascended the throne, people of her faith were considered heretics and burned at the stake. When she became the head of England, she was a weak and disorderly state - besides, she herself was called a heretic.
To gain a foothold on the throne, Elizabeth had to show her strength. She began by establishing a single Protestant church in England. Now she needs to enter into a suitable marriage and give birth to an heir - only her lover Lord Robert Dudley is not a suitable party.
To make the right choice, the queen will have to figure out which of her advisors she can trust without fear of being stabbed in the back...
1. Life in pink (2007).
A biopic about the famous French singer Edith Piaf, who managed to captivate the whole world with her voice. The story of the star is told in stages, from birth to sad death from an incurable disease.
The story begins in early childhood, when the mother gives the girl Edith to the care of her grandmother. Exploring a world of poverty, surrounded by discrimination, she was able to impress a Parisian cabaret owner who hired her. She learned to be beautiful, to please the public, to work with accompaniment - and soon she felt the first rays of glory ...
