Age is just a number | Meet 93-year-old woman who joins elite richest group ; know her net worth
At 92, Joan Payden is among America's richest self-made women, with an estimated net worth of $700 million
At an age when many are content to enjoy retirement, meet a 92-year-old woman who has achieved a milestone by becoming the United States' wealthiest self-made woman with a net worth of $700 million. Her story is not only a testament to her business acumen but also to her belief that age is merely a number.
The 92-year-old is the CEO of Payden & Rygel, a Los Angeles-based firm that manages more than $161 billion in assets and nearly 240 workers across numerous offices, according to its website.
Who is Joan Payden?
- Born in Derby, Connecticut, in 1931, Joan Payden spent her teenage years in Indonesia.
- She pursued a dual degree in mathematics and physics at Trinity College, graduating in 1953—a rare accomplishment for women at that time.
- In the 1950s, she was among the few women in engineering, working for a New Jersey company that built oil refineries.
- Payden then shifted to finance, joining Merrill Lynch. Despite starting at a disadvantage, she quickly learned and excelled in the field.
- During the mid 1970s, she became the first woman partner at Scudder, Stevens & Clark, an investment counselling firm.
- At the age of 52 in 1983, she co-founded Payden & Rygel with Sandra Rygel, focusing on fixed income and global markets. The firm has since grown to manage $162 billion in assets.
- At 92, Joan Payden is among America's richest self-made women, with an estimated net worth of $700 million.
Joan Payden’s story is a powerful reminder that age is just a number, and with vision and perseverance, anyone can achieve greatness. At 92, she stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and a testament to the boundless possibilities of the human spirit.