Sara Blakely, the Atlanta-based founder of Spanx, has pretty much become a mainstay on annual Forbes lists of the wealthiest members of society. She first appeared on the publication's billionaire list in 2012 .
At 41, she was the youngest billionaire who had not earned her fortune through marriage or inheritance .
Blakely, who recently opened the Spanx headquarters at the Shops Buckhead Atlanta, is on the newly released second annual list of the 60 richest, self-made women in America .
There are 17 billionaires in the ranks. At number 17, with a net worth of $1B, Blakely, 45, is the last of the billionaires.
Everyone who follows Blakely -- including names like Madonna; Nasty Gal founder, Sophia Amoruso (the only millennial newcomer to the list who isn't in the entertainment business) and Carolyn Rafaelian, founder of the bangle company, Alex and Ani -- each have a net worth in the hundreds of millions.
This year, the list begins with Diane Hendricks, owner of Wisconsin-based ABC Supply, the largest wholesale distributor of roofing and siding in the country. Hendricks is worth $4.9 billion. Taylor Swift takes the last slot at number 60. Swift, who is 26, is worth $250 million.
If you can believe it, Oprah Winfrey actually got richer, moving up to number 2 in part thanks to her Weight Watchers deal.
Blakely, who is also currently part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks with her husband Jesse Itzler , appears on the cover of the June 21 Forbes with Hendricks and Amoruso.
Forbes reports that Blakely recently assumed the role as CEO of Spanx in March after former CEO Jan Singer served less than two years in the post . It is the first time in 14 years that Blakely is serving as CEO of the company she created.
Blakely is the only Georgia woman on the list, but not the only connection to the state.
Patricia Miller (number 49) and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard (number 54), cofounders of the accessories company, Vera Bradley, got the idea to make their colorful bags while at an airport in Atlanta, reports Forbes.
Like Blakely, they started the company at home, using $500 in startup funds borrowing $250 each from their husbands. Now they sell half a billion dollars worth of bags and other accessories each year.
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