Marguerite Harbert Net Worth, Career & Personal Life

Marguerite Harbert Net Worth  $1 Billion

Marguerite Harbert was Alabama’s only billionaire before her passing in 2015 at the age of 91. She made her wealth from Harbert Corporation, a company her husband, American businessman John Harbert III, formed in 1949.

The company built Birmingham landmarks like the AmSouth-Harbert Plaza, the Red Mountain Expressway, and the Riverchase Galleria, and also had construction projects in many countries around the world. John died in 1995, leaving his widow a fortune of more than $1 billion.

On her side, Mrs. Harbert was a civic leader and notable philanthropist in Birmingham. She attended Birmingham-Southern College where she was a swimmer and played golf, tennis, and softball, and was inducted into the Birmingham-Southern College Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

She was also known as a major donor to the college. A devout humanitarian, Mrs. Harbert was known for her support for children with disabilities, since the oldest of her children, Jay Herbert, now 68, was born with the genetic birth disorder William’s Syndrome.

Although Harbert Corp became one of Alabama’s most successful businesses, Marguerite Harbert was never driven by money but always chose to maintain a simple but influential life.

She was a longtime and devoted member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, which she had attended since her childhood days as a child.

She went to Mountain Brook Elementary before graduating from Phillips High School. After completing her college education, she worked as a member of the American Red Cross, heading up the safety service unit and supervising all the educational and extension programs in Jefferson County.

She served on several boards during her lifetime, including the Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham-Southern College, Cancer Comprehensive, and following her husband’s passing, the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents.

Popularly known as With all her life by friends and family members since her younger sister Alice couldn’t pronounce her name “Marguerite” so it came out as Wita, her civic involvement included the American Heart Association, and Linly Heflin Unit, Birmingham Ballet League, Birmingham Art Association, Spain Rehabilitation, Center for Developmental Learning Disabilities, Children’s Hospital, All-Saints School, Advent Day School, and Junior League of Birmingham.

Early Life: Childhood, Education

She was born Marguerite Jones in the year 1923 in Birmingham, Alabama, the United States.

One of the children of Raymond McAdoo Jones and Marguerite Nabers Jones, her only sibling was her younger sister, Alice McGriff. She was a descendant of Birmingham’s founders.

For her education, Marguerite attended Mountain Brook Elementary School and graduated from Phillips High School before proceeding to attend college. While pursuing her degree at Birmingham–Southern College, she served as president of the Kappa Delta sorority chapter and was known for her active involvement in several sporting and athletic activities.

Entrepreneurship, Marriage

She met John M. Harbert, the founder of Harbert Corporation during their time in grade school. The two of them later married in the future and went on to have a wonderful union blessed with three children and several grandchildren.

Their first son, John Murdoch Harbert IV, was born with William’s Syndrome. Their second son is Raymond J. Harbert, an American investor who, in 1993, founded Harbert Management Corporation.

They also had a daughter, Marguerite Harbert Gray. The husband and wife resided in Mountain Brook, Alabama, and spent summers in Highlands, North Carolina. They were members of St. Mary’s on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Harbert and her husband John were married for 43 years until he predeceased her in 1995. She inherited his fortune upon his death and went on to become known as the wealthiest person in Alabama, with her net worth approximated at over 1 billion dollars.

She died on March 17, 2015. She was a member of the Little Garden Club of America and the Nineteenth Century Club and was deeply concerned with many philanthropic causes.

Not to forget, she was known for her support for children with disabilities, since the oldest of her children, John Murdoch Harbert IV, was born with the genetic birth disorder William’s Syndrome.

Marguerite Harbert Net Worth: Salary, Income Sources

Nine years prior to her passing in 2015, this inspirational icon was inducted into the Birmingham-Southern College Sports Hall of Fame for her top-rated participation in numerous sports activities during her days as a student.

She was also recognized for being a major donor to the institution.

Marguerite Harbert had a net worth of $1 billion and was regarded as the richest person in Alabama prior to her death.

She was the widow of John Murdoch Harbert III, the businessman who founded the construction company Harbert Corporation.

She inherited her wealth after her husband died and left her in control of his estate. She is survived by two sons, a daughter, and 6 grandchildren.