How Walt Disney Unknowingly Helped His Housekeeper Become a Multi-Millionaire
Thelma Pearl Howard’s biggest achievement is getting to work for the famous Walt Disney and his family. That was what everyone believed before a surprising discovery was made after she passed away at 79 years old.
During the reading of her last will and testament, Howard’s family was shocked to find out that the housekeeper died a multi-millionaire.
Let’s find out the inspiring story about how she secretly built an impressive fortune on a housekeeper’s salary.
Growing up Poor
Growing up, money was always hard to come by for Howard and her family of farmers from Idaho. She had to drop out of college during her freshman year because she could no longer afford to pay for her tuition.
After moving to Los Angeles, she began working a variety of jobs, sometimes even three at a time, to make a living. Howard reportedly took jobs as a part-time secretary, cleaning houses and pouring drinks at a soda fountain.
It was in her mid-’30s that she was hired to be a live-in housekeeper at the Disney family’s mansion in Holmby Hills. Given her background, Howard’s new home was a shock to her.
Clicking with the Disneys
Her presence in the household was a welcome one though as Disney reportedly had trouble finding a housekeeper that would get along well with his family.
Unlike the previous housekeepers, Howard clicked with Disney’s children: Diane and Sharon. The three of them would often bond while the housekeeper was in the kitchen preparing three-course meals every night.
Howard was also known to keep the fridge regularly stocked with Disney’s favorite snack: hot dogs. Over the course of the three decades she spent working for the household, she became almost a part of the family.
Disney himself reportedly described the housekeeper as the ‘real-life Mary Poppins’.
Unique Work Perk
Howard was paid a salary that was a little more than the average rate for housekeepers at the time. So, how did she manage to build such an impressive fortune?
It’s all thanks to the Christmas and birthday bonus Disney would give her. Apparently, the animation pioneer would gift her Disney company stock on these occasions every year.
She never sold any of the shares she received throughout her lifetime and actually used her own money to buy some more on her own.
With the success of the company, Howard’s stock portfolio grew as well. By the ‘90s, her 193,000 shares were valued at an impressive $9.5 million.
Half of Howard’s fortune was left to her disabled son while the other was used to fund a foundation in her name.
More in Bank Stories
-
Turn Your Rental Space Into Your Home With These Effective Tips
Get to Know Your Boundaries Before you start planning your mini-makeover, it is crucial to understand the limitations set by your...
December 14, 2023 -
Brewing Controversy: Unraveling the Bud Light Boycott
In a world fueled by opinions, the recent Bud Light boycott has stirred quite the commotion. It’s not your typical tale...
December 7, 2023 -
How LVMH Became a $500 Billion Luxury Empire
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is a name synonymous with luxury and opulence. The brand has crafted not just products but...
December 2, 2023 -
Women Spend 20% More Per Year on Out-of-Pocket Health Costs
A recent report from Deloitte has brought to light a concerning issue in the world of healthcare – women spend a...
November 24, 2023 -
How Sound Baths Can Soothe Your Mind, Body and Soul
Have you ever been so caught up in a song that you felt the world melt away? Music, in its many...
November 18, 2023 -
What to Know Before Rebalancing Your Investment Portfolio
Managing an investment portfolio is akin to steering a ship through ever-changing waters. Periodic adjustments are necessary to ensure you stay...
November 11, 2023 -
Jeff Bezos and Fiancée Lauren Sánchez’s Extravagant $500 Million Superyacht
Get ready to set sail on a journey into the opulent world of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren...
October 31, 2023 -
How to File Your Taxes: A Comprehensive Guide
Filing your taxes can be daunting, but with the right knowledge and preparation, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Taxes are...
October 26, 2023 -
Make Your Kids Mini Master Chefs | Here’s How
For many of us, the kitchen is the heart of our homes – a place where magic happens, one dish at...
October 19, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment Login