Became a Billionaire Heiress in Her 20s... Still Rides the Subway and Lives in a One-Bedroom Apartment in Her 80s

Increased her fortune after marrying the so-called "King of Chicken"
Lives in a modest one-bedroom apartment
Wears no luxury clothes and rides the subway
Continues social contributions as a journalist and philanthropist

Unlike Paris Hilton, the heiress of the Hilton Hotel, the Sheraton heiress has drawn attention in the industry by revealing that, even in her 80s, she rides the subway and lives in a modest one-bedroom apartment. On June 15, the American business magazine Fortune highlighted the life of heiress Mitch Perdue, who inherited two companies with a combined value of 10 trillion won.

Mitch Perdue inherited shares of the Sheraton Hotel at the age of 26 due to his father's death. mitziperdue.com

After attending public school and graduating from Harvard University, Perdue inherited shares of the Sheraton Hotel at the age of 26 due to her father's death. Since then, the Sheraton Hotel, operated by the Perdue family, has grown into a company worth $12 billion (about 16 trillion won), and Perdue herself has amassed considerable wealth. Her fortune further increased after marriage. Her late husband, Frank Perdue, led Perdue Farms, the largest chicken producer in the United States, and was known as the "King of Chicken." Perdue Farms recorded $10 billion (about 14 trillion won) in sales last year, and Perdue, who inherited this, has enough wealth to retire and enjoy a luxurious life.

However, Fortune noted that Perdue has a different perspective on wealth. She said, "Neither the Henderson family I was born into nor the Perdue family encourages extravagance," adding, "In both families, no one earns points for wearing designer clothes." Perdue, who inherited her father's fortune in her twenties, said, "I could have invested everything in the stock market and let someone else manage it." However, she did not choose such an easy life.

Perdue first became interested in agriculture and purchased land near the University of California campus to support the university's agricultural experiments. She spent most of her days managing a rice farm and, a few years later, became a journalist covering agriculture and mental health. When asked why she does not indulge in a luxurious lifestyle despite having the means, Perdue explained, "This way of living helps me understand the real world."

Even auctioned her engagement ring to help areas devastated by war

Since 2022, Perdue has been writing about the war in Ukraine. She even put up for auction an engagement ring worth $12,000 (about 16 million won), which she received from her husband, to help areas devastated by the war. She is currently working on a project to develop an AI trauma treatment app for victims of the war in Ukraine.

Since 2022, Purdue has been writing about the war in Ukraine. She even put up for auction an engagement ring worth $12,000 (about 16 million won), which she received from her husband, to help the areas devastated by the war. mitziperdue.com

Furthermore, Perdue has lived for years in a one-bedroom apartment in Maryland. Her neighbors are ordinary citizens, such as nurses and police officers. When traveling, she always flies economy class and, when visiting New York, usually takes the subway instead of a taxi. Rather than buying new shoes, she visits a cobbler, and she has no interest in famous designer clothes. Perdue said, "I don't understand why people are praised for wearing expensive clothes," emphasizing, "Becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Scouting, or working at Habitat (an international NGO that provides housing through volunteer work) are things that deserve praise. We should praise a life of service to others."

Perdue works from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., living a life similar to that of ordinary people. She attributes this to "the emptiness of receiving" and "the joy of giving." She explained that a large yacht or silk pajamas cannot fill her emptiness, but charitable work and working hard do fulfill her. Perdue said, "If you want happiness, think about what you can do for others. If you want unhappiness, think about what you are owed."

Perdue's family has also had a significant impact on her life. She said, "Through a family business that has lasted 100 years, I have learned the importance of stewardship," adding, "We do not exist to consume, but to serve as stewards for the next generation."