Diane Marie Hendricks is an American businesswoman, the self-made billionaire co-founder and Chairwoman of ABC Supply, one of the largest wholesale distributors of roofing, siding, and windows in America. Born in 1947, she grew up on a dairy farm in Osseo, Wisconsin, as one of nine sisters. Her humble beginnings instilled a fierce drive for independence and success beyond rural life.

Hendricks faced early challenges, becoming pregnant at 17, but she was determined to build a career, working various jobs including waitressing and selling custom homes. She met her late husband, Ken Hendricks (a skilled roofer), in the 1970s. They shared a vision for creating a company that provided quality roofing supplies and superior customer service, recognizing the immense structural demand in the fragmented construction materials market.

Diane Hendricks and her husband Ken co-founded ABC Supply (American Builders & Contractors Supply Co. Inc.) in 1982 in Beloit, Wisconsin. Their business model focused on customer service and establishing a massive, national distribution network for construction materials. Following her husband's death in 2007, Diane took the helm and accelerated the company's growth, leading two of the biggest acquisitions in its history: rival Bradco in 2010 and building materials distributor L&W Supply in 2016.

Under her leadership as Chairwoman, ABC Supply grew into a multi-billion dollar enterprise with nearly 800 branch locations and billions in annual revenue, becoming the largest wholesale distributor of its kind. She successfully built the empire without family money or a college degree, securing her status as the richest self-made woman in America and cementing her legacy as a master of industrial distribution and acquisition.

Diane Hendricks is a major philanthropist, focusing her personal giving on local economic development, education, and social services in Beloit, Wisconsin. She has spent millions rebuilding entire blocks in Beloit, founding an incubator, and bringing in new businesses to the state, making a massive structural contribution to local economic stability.

Her structural social impact is tied to ABC Supply's role as a massive employer and essential supplier to the American construction industry. Her life story is a powerful narrative of resilience, self-reliance, and the profitable intersection of manufacturing and distribution.

Diane Hendricks maintains the pragmatic, professional style of a hands-on executive. Her attire is consistently high-quality, favoring tailored business suits and a serious aesthetic. Her public persona is defined by her tenacity and self-reliance, often speaking about the need to risk it all to build a business.

Residing in Afton, Wisconsin, her luxury is the immense security and autonomy derived from her multi-billion dollar fortune. Her life is dedicated to the long-term stewardship of her industrial empire and her commitment to job creation and community revitalization.