Spanx Founder One of Forbes’ Top Self-Made Women

Sara Blakely, founder of Atlanta-based Spanx, is the 21st richest self-made woman in the nation, according to Forbes’ top 60 list released July 11. Blakely, 47, remains the youngest self-made billionaire and the only woman on the list from Georgia. Her net worth is $1 billion, according to Forbes.

Blakely and her husband, who have four children, also co-own the Atlanta Hawks basketball team with several others.

Before she started Spanx in 2000, Blakely was a door-to-door fax machine salesperson, Forbes reported. She invested $5,000 to come up with something to wear under white slacks. Today Spanx sells undergarments, leggings and maternity wear in 65 countries. Blakely continues to run the day-to-day operations. She’s also a guest judge on Shark Tank and invests in startups.

Blakely beat out Kylie Jenner (27), a controversial pick featured on the cover; Vera Wang (34); Madonna (36); and even Taylor Swift(60).