Tory Burch

At 19, Tory Burch was studying art history at UPenn and spending summers working odd jobs, including at a fish cannery in Alaska.

Today, Tory Burch has a brand valued at over $1.75B, a philanthropic foundation that has empowered thousands of women entrepreneurs, and a personal net worth of $1.1B.

In 2004, Tory pooled her own savings and launched her first store, where she offered preppy and eclectic designs inspired by her global travels.

By the end of opening day, almost everything had sold out.

Her signature tunics, bold prints, and timeless accessories quickly captured attention, but it was her appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2005 that skyrocketed her brand’s reach.

In 2009, she launched the Tory Burch Foundation, providing over $100M in affordable loans, mentoring, and education to more than 5,500 women entrepreneurs.

Her Embrace Ambition campaign challenged stereotypes around women in leadership.

Tory navigated public lawsuits with her ex-husband, criticism for cultural appropriation, and the pandemic’s impact, which shuttered stores worldwide.

Yet she emerged stronger, refocusing on her designs and releasing some of her most celebrated collections.