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.