MILWAUKEE — She might not seem like one, but Wisconsin native, former Playboy Bunny and Forbes’ wealthiest self-made woman in America for seven consecutive years will speak as an “Everyday American” tonight at the Republican National Convention leading up to Donald Trump’s nomination-acceptance speech.
Diane Hendricks is well-known in Republican politics both nationally and in her home state, where her backing is sought after by almost every statewide Republican candidate.
Hendricks is a nod both to the RNC host state (she’s the fourth speaker from Wisconsin) and the pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps branding Trump’s vice-president pick has solidified for his campaign.
The owner of Hendricks Holding Company was a teen mom at 17 and has a background of hardship, grit and hard work to rival that of JD Vance. (She started working as a Playboy Club Bunny when she divorced and became a single mom.)
A consummate patriot, Hendricks is proud of her roots and the businesses she’s built, as her Beloit, Wis., headquarters proudly displays with its industrial architecture in the blue-collar city Hendricks has helped revive.
Hendricks, 77, who grew up in Eau Claire, on the west side of Wisconsin, founded ABC Supply with her husband, Ken Hendricks, and has grown the business exponentially since his death in 2007.
With an estimated net worth of $20.9 billion, Hendricks is a major donor to Republican candidates both in Wisconsin and nationally.
In the past, Hendricks has financially backed former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, a Wisconsin delegate at this week’s convention, as well as Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).
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The Post spoke with a former senior management employee at Hendricks Commercial Properties about what it was like to work for the Hendricks’ company.
“It was fabulous, I had no complaints,” said the employee, who wishes to remain anonymous. “There was so much excitement. [Hendricks] believes in what she does, and she is is actively involved in it. They don’t go through an acquisition without her being involved. Even though she wasn’t physically always there she had a pulse on everything going on in those companies.” The source explained Hendricks worked from her ABC Supply office most of the time.
Hendricks actively encouraged employees to get involved in politics and stand up for their beliefs, whatever they were, the source told The Post. Employees received an email every election with Hendricks’ endorsements and the reasons she was supporting those candidates.
The 77-year old’s impact on Beloit is “indescribable,” said the ex-employee. Hendricks invested in the city because she wanted to see it become a better community, reinvigorating the city as her companies grew.
Hendricks will appear onstage at the RNC around 7 p.m. Eastern in a long line-up of speakers tonight before Trump concludes the convention by accepting his nomination.