Have you ever heard of a multi-billionaire who has committed to donating half of his net worth to charity and who always stays true to his promise? Arthur Blank is a signatory to the Giving Pledge, whereby 50% of an astonishing $4.7 billion net worth is donated to charity. He is worth all of this because he is a business tycoon, co-founder of Home Depot, owner of Atlanta United (a football club) and Atlanta Falcons (a franchise in the NFL), and runs banks.
His company – Home Depot – has donated a significant amount of wealth to communities and nonprofit organizations as part of his corporate social responsibility. From 1995 to the present day, his family foundation, known as the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, is known to have given millions of dollars to charities and various nonprofit causes.
Arthur Blank Bio, Ethnicity, Nationality
Arthur is an American nationality and comes from an undoubtedly Jewish line of descent, which explains his ethnic affiliation with the whites. On September 27, 1942, he joined the Jewish family of Molly and Max Blank in Flushing, New York. His father, Max, earned his living as a pharmacist, and Arthur grew up alongside his older brother Michael Blank.
Before becoming a business mogul, Arthur Blank received his basic education at Stuyvesant High School in New York City. To further his education, he entered Babson College, where he earned a degree in accounting and business administration in less than three years, which he received in 1963. He then went to Compton University, where he was awarded an honorary degree.
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Career
After graduation, his career began in 1965 when he was employed by Arthur Young and Company as a senior accountant. After a while, he moved to Daylin Corporation where he rose to the rank of President of Elliott’s Drug Stores/Stripe Discount Stores – a division under Daylin’s parent company. After this branch of discount stores was sold, Arthur had to move to Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers.
At Handy Dan, Arthur Blank met with his future business partner Bernard Marcus, who served as CEO of Handy Dan. Arthur worked as Vice President and was responsible for finances, but when they finally lost their jobs in 1978, Arthur and Marcus joined forces to form Home Depot.
Between New York investment banker Ken Langone (who took on the task of putting together the first group of investors) and merchandising expert Patrick Farrah (who helped both store owners realize their vision of one-stop shopping for the DIY enthusiast), the company got off to a good start. With its warehouse concept, it grew to revolutionize the concept of DIY.
As a result, both founders quickly became billionaires, with Arthur Blank succeeding Marcus as CEO after 19 years as president of the company. He resigned as Co-Chairman in 2001.
After he hung up his boots, Arthur Blank was not tired at all. In February 2002, he bought the Atlanta Falcons franchise of the National Football League and showed interest in acquiring other soccer franchises that were later established – Atlanta United F.C.
Currently, the accomplished business tycoon serves on the Board of Trustees of Emory University, serves as Chairman of the AMB Group LLC, the parent company of Atlanta United and Falcons FC, and is also a principal chairman of the Arthur Blank Family Foundation.
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Family, Wife, Girlfriend, Daughter
Arthur has three marriages and a couple of divorces to his credit, his first marriage was with Diana J. Blank, they were divorced in 1993 after having three children, namely: Danielle Blank Thomsen, Dena Blank Kimball, and Kenny Blank. His daughter Dena is the current Vice President of Network Support of Teach for All.
He later married Stephanie V. Blank in 1995, a North Carolina native and graduate of Appalachian State University. Before their divorce in 2013, their union produced three children: Max, Joshua, and Kylie Blank.
Currently, Arthur is in a marital relationship with Angela Macuga, a devoted mother of three children from a previous relationship. The accomplished businessman met his current wife Macuga at a Bundesliga soccer game in which her children and Arthur’s son Joshua participated. After their meeting, Arthur admired her devotion to her children and described her as exactly what a soccer mom should be.
She is an expert in branding, marketing, and sales at the University of South Carolina-Sumter. Since their marriage in 2016, the couple has lived happily together. Macuga’s devotion to family life could be the attraction she has for her American billionaire husband, as she seems to have taken both her husband’s children and grandchildren under her wing. According to her, they have nine children and five grandchildren who are a source of great joy in their union.