Ever heard of a multi-billionaire who has pledged to give half of his wealth to charity and has he ever lived up to his pledge? Arthur Blank is a signatory to the Giving Pledge with 50% of a staggering $4.7 billion net worth pledged to charity. He is worth all this because he counts as a business magnate, co-founder of Home Depot, owner of Atlanta United (a football club) and Atlanta Falcons (an NFL franchise).
His company – Home Depot, has donated an amount of wealth as part of his social responsibility to communities and non-profit organizations. From 1995 to date, his family foundation, known as the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, is known for donating millions of dollars to charities and several community causes.
Arthur Blank’s Biography, Ethnicity, Nationality
Arthur has an American nationality and comes from an undoubtedly Jewish lineage which makes his ethnicity white, he joined the Jewish family of Molly and Max Blank on September 27, 1942, in Flushing, New York. His father, Max, made his living working as a pharmacist, Arthur grew up alongside his older brother Michael Blank.
Before his status as a business tycoon was attained, Arthur Blank acquired his basic education at Stuyvesant High School located in New York. To further his education, he joined Babson College where he earned a degree in accounting and business administration under three years, graduating in 1963. He continued his education at Compton University where he earned a honorary degree.
Career
After graduation, his career began in 1965, when he was employed by Arthur Young and Company as a senior accountant. After a while, he joined Daylin Corporation where he became President of Elliott’s Drug Stores/Stripe Discount Stores – a division of Daylin’s parent company. Arthur had to move to Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers after that branch of discount stores sold out.
At Handy Dan, Arthur Blank met his future business partner Bernard Marcus who was working as the CEO of Handy Dan. Arthur worked as vice president in charge of finance, but when they finally lost their jobs in 1978, Arthur and Marcus joined forces to start Home Depot.
Between New York investment banker Ken Langone (who took on the job of assembling the first group of investors) and merchandising specialist Patrick Farrah (who helped the two business owners achieve their vision of a one-stop-shop for the do-it-yourselfer), the company took off on a good footing. With its warehouse concept, it grew to revolutionize the concept of home improvement.
As a result, the two founders were transformed into billionaires in no time, Arthur Blank succeeded Marcus as CEO of the company after 19 years as chairman. He retired as co-chair in 2001.
After hanging up his boots, Arthur Blank was not tired at all. He purchased the Atlanta Falcons franchise from the National Football League in February 2002 and expressed interest in acquiring a larger but later founded football franchise – Atlanta United FC
Currently, the accomplished business tycoon is a board member of Emory University, he serves as Chairman of AMB Group LLC, the parent company of Atlanta United and Falcons FC and also sits on the Arthur Blank Family. Foundation as substantial chairman.
Family, Wife, Girlfriend, Daughter
Arthur has a record of three marriages and a couple of divorces, his first marriage was to Diana J. Blank, they divorced in 1993 after having three children namely; Danielle Blank Thomsen, Dena Blank Kimball and Kenny Blank. His daughter Dena is the current Vice President of Teach for All’s Support Network.
He then married Stephanie V. Blank in 1995, a native of North Carolina and an alumnus of Appalachian State University. Prior to their divorce in 2013, their union produced three children; Max, Joshua and Kylie Blank.
Currently, Arthur is in a marital relationship with Angela Macuga, a devoted mother of three from a previous relationship. The accomplished businessman met his current wife Macuga at a football league match which his children and Arthur’s son Joshua attended.
She is a Professional in Branding, Marketing, and Sales from the University of South Carolina-Sumter. Since their marriage in 2016, the couple have lived happily together, Macuga’s dedication to family life may be the attraction she holds for her US billionaire husband as she appears to have taken in both children and grandchildren of her husband under her wings. According to her, they have nine children and five grandchildren who are a source of great joy for their union.
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