Introduction

Diane Hendricks began life on a Wisconsin dairy farm, learned toughness and responsibility at an early age, moved into real estate, and in 1982 co-founded ABC Supply with her husband Ken. Over decades she helped scale ABC Supply from a single branch into one of the nation’s leading building-materials wholesalers, choosing to keep the business private, grow through local branch replication and acquisitions, and invest back into her community. Today she’s recognized among America’s wealthiest self-made women  Forbes estimates her net worth in the tens of billions  and she’s known for sizable local philanthropy as well as public political donations. 

Quick facts

Fact	Short detail
Full name	Diane Marie Hendricks (née Smith)
Born	March 2, 1947
From	Mondovi / Osseo area, Wisconsin
Known for	Co-founder & Chairwoman, ABC Supply
Founded ABC Supply	1982. The company grew by branch expansion and acquisitions.
Branches / Revenue	ABC Supply: 900+ branches and roughly $20.7B revenue (2024).
Estimated net worth (2025)	~US$22.3 billion (Forbes ranking: richest self-made woman in America).
Philanthropy	Major investments in Beloit area revitalization and vocational projects.
Political activity	Large donations to conservative causes and campaigns; donor records are public.

Simple life story  short, clear steps

Early life  farm, work, grit

Diane grew up on a dairy farm in rural Wisconsin. Farm life meant an early start to each day, hands-on chores, and a culture of authority. Those formative years created a work ethic and practical sense that later showed up in business resolve. At 17 she became a mother and balanced instruction with supporting her child, a leadership that edged her resolve and autonomy.

Young adult years  real estate & learning business

After high school Diane sold houses and worked in real estate, which taught her circulation, conference, and basics of property revamp and valuation. Those skills  particularly mastery of edge, timing, and local markets  were a natural foundation for larger/enterprising moves later on. 

Meeting Ken Hendricks  business partner & husband

In the 1970s Diane met Ken Hendricks. They married in 1975 and partnered on property deals: buying, fixing, and selling buildings. Their practical partnership and shared appetite for calculated risk laid the groundwork for founding a business that would solve a clear marketplace need.

Growth & big moves  timeline of business scaling

• 1982 ABC Supply founded in Beloit, Wisconsin.
• 1990s Branch expansion accelerates; the company expands across multiple states.
• 2010 ABC Supply acquires Bradco Supply, significantly increasing its footprint.
• 2016 ABC Supply acquires L&W Supply, another transformative deal.
• 2024 ABC Supply operates 900+ branch locations and reports roughly $20.7B in revenue.

How wealth was made  the net worth breakdown

Diane Hendricks’ wealth is overwhelmingly tied to her ownership stake in a large, privately held company. For massive private firms, marketplace value is estimated by comparing revenue and profit multiples from comparable public companies or private sale benchmarks. Key points:

• A firm with $20B in annual revenue and solid margins commands a valuation multiple that can push the owner’s stake into the multi-billion range.
• Diane’s reported ~$22.3B net worth (Forbes, 2025) derives primarily from her equity in ABC Supply. Smaller contributions come from legacy real estate holdings and private investments within family vehicles.
  

Valuation of private companies is inherently estimate-driven, but industry comparables and public reporting provide reliable inputs for large firms like ABC Supply.

Leadership after Ken’s death  steady hand

Ken Hendricks died in 2007. Diane assumed more direct Leadership responsibilities and continued the strategy of deliberate, service-first growth. Her choices emphasized local branch autonomy, conservative capital deployment, and opportunistic acquisitions. By keeping ABC Supply private, the company could prioritize long-term service improvements, employee continuity, and transaction timing that fit strategic goals rather than market cycles.

Personal life  plain facts

• Married Ken Hendricks in 1975.
• Mother to several children; many sources indicate seven children (reports vary).
• Lifelong Wisconsin resident who invests heavily in the Beloit area through renovation and job programs.

Philanthropy & community work  giving back

What she funds: Diane has directed philanthropic resources toward Beloit’s downtown revitalization, preservation of historic structures, job training and vocational programming for trades, and local cultural and civic projects. Her giving is often framed as economic development  projects that create jobs and strengthen community infrastructure. 

Why it matters: Rather than purely charitable donations, many of these investments are purposeful community development moves that aim to make local communities more attractive for families and for contractors who work there; in other words, both philanthropic and strategic community investment.

Political donations  public record

Public donor databases show Diane Hendricks as a prominent contributor to conservative causes and Republican campaigns. Donation details appear in federal and state filings and outside-spending records. If you cover her political influence, cite OpenSecrets and the relevant state records for exact figures and recipients.

Two short examples show, not tell

Example A  Buying a rival

When ABC Supply bought Bradco Supply in 2010, it suddenly gained hundreds of branch locations, staff experienced in regional markets, and established customer lists. An acquisition accelerates growth because it imports local market knowledge and customers along with inventory and distribution capacity.

Example B  Staying private

Because ABC Supply remained privately held, leadership avoided the short-termism of public markets and used that freedom to invest in customer service, expand branches during opportune moments, and make acquisitions that fit long-term strategic goals. This patience helps explain resilience during cycles.

Leadership lessons 

Lessons entrepreneurs can borrow from Diane Hendricks’ path:

1. Work hard and learn the trade. Foundational skill and discipline matter.
2. Identify and solve a real pain point. ABC Supply answered contractors’ need for fast, reliable supply.
3. Scale locally, think nationally. Replicate small, service-focused units to build a national footprint.
4. Be patient. Long-term orientation often outperforms short-term optimization.
5. Take calculated risks. Personal commitment at the start signals conviction and helps attract partners. 

Full timeline

Year	Event
1947	Diane Marie Smith born (March 2) in Mondovi, Wisconsin
1965	Graduated high school (Osseo-Fairchild).
Late 1960s	Became a young mother and began working to support family.
1970s	Active in real estate; met Ken Hendricks; married in 1975.
1982	Co-founded ABC Supply in Beloit, Wisconsin.
1994	The company The company grew rapidly (100+ locations in the 1990s).
2010	Acquired Bracco Supply, adding many branches.
2016	Acquired L&W Supply (major expansion).
2007	Ken Hendricks died; Diane assumed full leadership.
2024	ABC Supply: 900+ branches, ~$20.7B revenue.
2025	Forbes: Diane Hendricks named richest self-made woman in America with ~$22.3B.

FAQS

Conclusion

Diane Hendricks shows how hard work, pragmatic problem solving, and patient capital assignment can produce exceptional outcomes. From a farm childhood to building a national company, her path emphasize the value of local connection, disciplined replication, and strategic Possession. Her story gives merchant a clear playbook: identify a real need, build service-oriented units, and think long term.