Thelma Pearl Howard had a fascinating life story that many people didn't know about.
She was born in Georgia and raised in a rural, impoverished home. Her parents were sharecroppers who barely got by, and there was no chance for her to go to college. But Thelma had ambition - she set her sight on becoming something more than just a poor farmer's daughter. She moved to Orlando, Florida, where she found employment as a housekeeper at Walt Disney World.
For the next thirty-five years, Thelma worked hard cleaning hotel bathrooms, changing sheets, washing dishes, and doing whatever else it took to keep the Magic Kingdom clean.
Time Miroshnichenko/Pexels | Thelma Pearl Howard invested smartly and secretly became a millionaire
How Did Thelma Die a Multi-Millionaire?
But while most of her coworkers didn't realize it, Thelma had been quietly stashing away some of her earnings over the years. When she passed away in 2014 at the age of 92, it came as a shock to many that she had managed to build up an incredibly large fortune - estimated between $10 and $20 million! How did this housekeeper secretly die a multi-millionaire?
Most sources point towards smart investments as the key factor behind her wealth accumulation. According to reports from those close to Thelma, she was keenly interested in investing in stocks and bonds that paid good dividends.
Over the course of decades working for Disney World, these investments compounded until they became vast sums of money during her retirement years.
Arina Krasnikova/Pexels | Thelma did not believe in unnecessary spending; she lived a simple life with two cats.
Thelma’s Dedication to Living a Modest Life
Another key factor that allowed Thelma to grow so wealthy was the fact that she lived an incredibly modest lifestyle. She drove around in an old Honda Civic and lived alone throughout much of her life with only two cats for company – even when her fortune began growing larger and larger each year. This frugal living helped stretch every dollar farther than if it were spent on luxuries or unnecessary items.
Her Generosity
Perhaps most notable, however, is how generous Thelma Howard was with giving back to those less fortunate than herself. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2006, she began donating large sums of money to charities supporting cancer research initiatives and other deserving causes throughout Central Florida communities. These donations are estimated at tens of millions of dollars all together!
Karolina Grabowska/Pexels | Being mindful about and helping the underprivileged is something Thelma believed in.
The amazing story of Thelma Pearl Howard's transformation from small-town poverty into a multi-millionaire philanthropist will continue inspiring people for generations to come!
It serves as an example for all those out there who feel like they don't have enough resources or opportunities available: anything is possible with hard work, intelligence investments, and generosity!
