Sara Blakely is an American businesswoman, inventor, and philanthropist best known for founding Spanx, the revolutionary shapewear brand that transformed the undergarment industry.
Born on February 27, 1971, in Clearwater, Florida, she grew up in a supportive middle-class family that emphasized creativity, resilience, and viewing failure as a stepping stone rather than a setback.
Her father, John Blakely, was a trial attorney, and her mother, Ellen Blakely (née Ford), was an artist.
This environment nurtured an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, as Sara and her sibling experimented with small ventures like lemonade stands and neighborhood businesses.
Siblings
Sara has one sibling, her brother Ford Blakely.
Ford, who is younger than Sara, has maintained a close bond with his sister throughout their lives, often describing each other as best friends since childhood.
Like Sara, Ford developed an entrepreneurial mindset early on, starting work at age 14 and later founding Zingle, a mobile messaging and customer engagement platform that began in their mother’s art studio.
Career
Blakely’s career began after graduating from Florida State University with a degree in communications.
She initially worked at Walt Disney World and then as a national sales trainer for the office-supply company Danka, where she sold fax machines door-to-door.
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Frustrated with traditional pantyhose and inspired by a personal need for more comfortable, flattering undergarments, she cut the feet off a pair of control-top hose to create a smoother silhouette under white pants.
In 2000, with $5,000 in savings, she launched Spanx, patenting her idea and pitching it relentlessly to retailers.
Neiman Marcus became the first to carry the product after a personal demonstration, and Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement propelled the brand to rapid success.
Spanx achieved $4 million in sales in its first year and $10 million in the second, eventually growing into a global empire without outside investors for many years.
In 2021, Blakely sold a majority stake in Spanx for $1.2 billion while retaining creative control.
She later founded Sneex and has continued innovating in fashion and consumer products, all while prioritizing philanthropy through her foundation to support women and girls.
Accolades
In 2012, Blakely became the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire and appeared on the cover of Forbes magazine.
That same year, Time magazine included her in its Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.
Forbes has ranked her among the most powerful women globally, including at number 93 in 2014.
She is recognized as a category creator and industry disruptor, with honors such as being named a Women Making History Awards honoree in 2025 by the National Women’s History Museum.
Additionally, she signed The Giving Pledge, committing to donate half her wealth to philanthropy, and holds a Guinness World Record for an adventurous feat involving a hot air balloon.
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