Love to know which Oklahoman made the list of America's richest women? Here's what we know
An Oklahoman is among the wealthiest women in America.
Judy Love, who co-founded Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores with her husband, Tom, claimed the No. 2 spot on USA Today's list of "America's richest self-made women."
According to the USA Today list, Love and her family have a net worth of $10.2 billion. Her husband, Tom, died in March.
Love, 86, responded with humor on Thursday when she learned about her placement on the wealthiest women listing.
The billionaire said finding out her name was on the list "was about as much fun for me as watching golden oldies and discovering Elvis dyed his hair from light brown to black — never know what you're going to read in the paper."
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Love and her husband founded Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores in 1964 by leasing an abandoned gas station in Watonga. Within a few years, the company had 40 stations and began to open convenience stores alongside the pumps. Oklahoma City-based Love's now operates more than 600 locations in 42 states.
The Love family is known for philanthropy
The Love family has been widely known for its philanthropy, and Judy Love, as matriarch, has led the way. The Tom and Judy Love Foundation has donated funds to many Oklahoma organizations over the years, including Positive Tomorrows, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, as well as out-of-state organizations and groups. The family also has supported other organizations, including the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and United Way.
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In recent years, Judy Love was involved in a silent campaign (co-chairing with former state first lady Cathy Keating) to raise funds to build a women’s center at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City. She also worked with her son and grandson to lead a campaign to raise money to pay for additional classrooms at her alma mater, Bishop McGuinness High School. The Love family has donated to the Roman Catholic-affiliated high school in Oklahoma City over the years.
Judy Love and the OKC Thunder
Along with her philanthropic work, Love is known as one of the more high-profile fans of the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA franchise. She often is seated courtside cheering on Thunder players. She famously chastised NBA star LeBron James when he complained to a referee during a 2016 game between the Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"Just suck it up, LeBron," she said loud enough for her words picked up by nearby broadcast television microphones. Her feisty comments made national headlines, and videos of the encounter circulated on social media. James even mentioned the incident in a good-natured Instagram post.
The Loves' support for the Thunder includes a partnership for the placement of the Love’s Travel Stopes & Country Stores heart logo on the Thunder jersey for all games. The partnership also includes other initiatives such as Love’s Kiss Cam.
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Judy Love's name previously has appeared on similar lists and stories about wealthiest Americans.
In April, she and her family appeared on Forbes Magazine's annual list of the richest people in the world.
In 2015, she was named one of the nation’s wealthiest self-made women. In the list compiled by Forbes, the Oklahoman ranked just a few spots behind Oprah Winfrey and about 40 spots ahead of Beyonce Knowles and Judge Judy.
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Top 10 richest women in the U.S.
Here are the top 10 richest self-made women in America, ranked from the wealthiest at the top of the list:
Diane Hendricks, 76. Net worth: $15 billion. Source: Building Supplies
Judy Love & family, 85. Net worth: $10.2 billion. Source: Gas stations
Judy Faulkner, 79. Net worth: $7.4 billion. Source: Health care software
Lynda Resnick, 80. Net worth: $5.3 billion. Source: Agriculture
Thai Lee, 64. Net worth: $4.8 billion. Source: IT provider
Johnelle Hunt, 91. Net worth: $4.4 billion. Source: Trucking
Gail Miller, 79. Net worth: $4.2 billion. Source: Car dealerships
Marian Ilitch, 90. Net worth: $4 billion. Source: Little Caesars Pizza
Elizabeth Uihlein, 77. Net worth: $3.7 billion. Source: Packing materials
Peggy Cherng, 75. Net worth: $3.1 billion. Source: Fast food
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Judy Love, Oklahoma billionaire, is among richest self-made women in the U.S.
