The heiress to the $10 billion Perdue Farms and $12 billion Sheraton hotel empire wore traditional clothes, still rode the subway, and the flying economy

Mitzi Perdue was born into a Sheraton hotel family, and at just 26 years old, she and her siblings inherited their father, Ernest Henderson, the controlling interest in the company. Her family’s success $12.2 billion The hospitality company meant it was now sitting on a big nest egg.

Her wealth did not flourish until after her marriage to her late husband, Frank Perdue, the “chicken king” who led the largest chicken producer in America. Perdue Farmswhich brought more than 10 billion dollars In revenues last year. The double heiress has the wealth to retire to and live a life of extravagance, but it is in her nature to view wealth differently.

“The Hendersons and Perdue did not encourage extravagance,” Perdue said. luck In a June 2025 interview. ““In both families, no one wins points for wearing designer clothes.”

The 84-year-old has access to credit from her family’s billion-dollar business, along with wealth from the Perdue empire. However, she still lives like everyone else: taking her shoes to the cobbler instead of buying new ones, riding the subway, flying economy, and living in a modest apartment instead of a house.

Perdue lived a double life – receiving enormous perks and money from two business empires, while holding down a regular job and living frugally.

“The apartment building I lived in for 14 years is very middle-class, and I love it,” Perdue says. “If you always fly on private planes, what information do you have about the real world?”

Her frugal and modest lifestyle: wearing second-hand clothes, flying economy, taking the subway

Perdue was born in 1941, and as a war baby and the fifth child in the Henderson family, he grew up wearing handmade clothes. She says she went to public school for a period of her life, then later attended private school and continued her education at Harvard University. When she was in her late twenties, her father died, opening the floodgates to her inheritance. But she wasn’t tempted by the idea of ​​throwing in the towel and hanging out for the rest of her life.

“I could have put it all in the stock market and let someone else run it,” Perdue says.

Due to his interest in agriculture, Perdue soon purchased land near UC Davis so that the college could conduct experiments on the agricultural area. She spent long hours every day managing the rice farm, but years later decided to become a journalist covering agricultural practices and mental health.

Starting in 2022, it started Writing about conflict in Ukraine and sold it for $1.2 million Engagement ring From her late husband to benefit humanitarian efforts in the war-torn region. It is currently developing an AI-based trauma therapist for victims in Ukraine, which lacks the resources to keep up with demand. On all her business trips, she always flies economy.

Perdue also lived in an apartment building in Salisbury, Maryland, for many years, where he socialized with working-class residents such as nurses and police officers. She says one year’s rent on her one-bedroom apartment costs the same as what her friends in New York City pay in a month.

“Many Purdue employees live in the same building,” Perdue says. “It’s beautiful, but no one would call it luxurious.”

As a “poorly maintained person” who frequently visits New York City, she rides the subway instead of booking an Uber. Perdue also has its shoes repaired by a cobbler, rather than buying new pairs. Designer fashion is ignored because she does not like to show her wealth. Her frugal philosophy is more than just profound.

“I’m not aware that I get compliments for wearing really expensive clothes, you get super compliments for being an Eagle Scout, or for working for Habitat for Humanity,” Perdue continues. “You get praise for serving others.”

What Purdue gets from tightening its portfolio constraints

People who didn’t grow up with wealth might wonder why a billionaire would want to live like the rest of the population: working nine to five, crammed like sardines into the subway instead of calling private cars. The heiress and journalist says that her reasoning stems from the emptiness of taking and the joy of giving.

“I would certainly rather live a life of endless joy than not be able to count five happy days,” Perdue says. “If you want to be happy, think about what you can do for someone else. If you want to be miserable, think about what you are owed.”

Megayachts and silk pajamas don’t fill the void for Perdue, but philanthropy and hard work fill her fill. A large part of Perdue’s understanding of having wealth versus living a wealthy life came from both sides of her family. She pointed out that family businesses capable of continuing for 100 years are a rare thing, but the Henderson family and the Berdoues were able to achieve this by giving their best.

“Families that learned management last,” Perdue said. “They’re not there to spend it all. They’re there to be stewards of the next generation.”

More about success:

• Billionaire founder of Telegram That leaves him with $14 billion Wealth for more than 100 children he fathered
• Founder who sold two companies to Coca-Cola warning To potential entrepreneurs
• Alexis Ohanian out 20 minutes after taking the LSAT, he went to Waffle House, and started Reddit
• Warren Buffett Advice for Gen Z: It’s about the company you keep

A version of this story was originally published on Fortune.com On June 15, 2025.