Sara Blakely
Encyclopedia
Sara Blakely is an American businesswoman. In 2000, Blakely founded Spanx
, a multi-million dollar undergarment company.
, the daughter of a lawyer and an artist. She graduated from Florida State University
, with a degree in communications. While attending she was a member of Delta Delta Delta
sorority. Blakely embarked on a seven year career selling photocopiers before launching the Spanx brand in 2000. In 2009, Sara gave birth to a baby boy, Lazer Blake Itzler.
, and starred as one of the judges on ABC
's reality television series, American Inventor
. She also guest-starred on Free Radio
in January 2008.
In 2006, she launched the Sara Blakely Foundation to help women through education and entrepreneurial training and has funded scholarships for young women at CIDA in South Africa. She appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show
in 2006 and donated $1 million to Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy.
In 2008, Sara Blakely married Jesse Itzler
.
SPANX
Spanx, Inc. is a U.S. company that mainly manufactures footless pantyhose and other undergarments for women, particularly "body shaping" undergarments and bodysuit shapewear intended to give the wearer a slim and shapely appearance....
, a multi-million dollar undergarment company.
Biography
Sara Blakely was born on February 21, 1971, in Clearwater, FloridaClearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
, the daughter of a lawyer and an artist. She graduated from Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
, with a degree in communications. While attending she was a member of Delta Delta Delta
Delta Delta Delta
Delta Delta Delta , also known as Tri Delta, is an international sorority founded on November 27, 1888, the eve of Thanksgiving Day. With over 200,000 initiates, Tri Delta is one of the world's largest NPC sororities.-History:...
sorority. Blakely embarked on a seven year career selling photocopiers before launching the Spanx brand in 2000. In 2009, Sara gave birth to a baby boy, Lazer Blake Itzler.
Career
Blakely was a contestant on The Rebel BillionaireThe Rebel Billionaire
The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best is a reality show for Fox Broadcasting Company's fall 2004 season.-Premise:The premise for the series was that billionaire Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Worldwide, challenges 16 contestants to tasks that will prove to him which is most...
, and starred as one of the judges on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's reality television series, American Inventor
American Inventor
American Inventor is a reality television series based on a competition to be named America's best inventor. It was conceived by UK entrepreneur Peter Jones, who appears on the British version of the somewhat similar programme Dragons' Den, a format originated in Japan where it is owned by Sony....
. She also guest-starred on Free Radio
Free Radio
Free Radio is a television show, created by Lance Krall and Rory Rosegarten. The show originated on VH1, but has also played on Comedy Central, and Super Channel . It stars Lance Krall, prominent for his role on The Joe Schmo Show, and Anna Vocino, who also starred with Krall on The Lance Krall...
in January 2008.
In 2006, she launched the Sara Blakely Foundation to help women through education and entrepreneurial training and has funded scholarships for young women at CIDA in South Africa. She appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
in 2006 and donated $1 million to Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy.
In 2008, Sara Blakely married Jesse Itzler
Jesse Itzler
*Thirty Footer in Your Face *# Shake It*# $55 Motel*# Keepin' It Funky*# Sho Nuff Bumpin'*# Poison Ivory*# Body Heat*# Dave The Bookie*# College Girls *# Ain't No Thang*# Rhymes At Will-College Girls :...
.
External links
- Sara Blakely on IMDb
- Sara Blakely on ABC.com: American Inventor - Bio Page