Arthur Blank, born on September 27, 1942, is a prominent American businessman renowned for co-founding the home improvement retail giant, The Home Depot. His life journey is a testament to entrepreneurial excellence and philanthropy, as well as his influence in the sports world.

The Life and Early Years of Arthur Blank

Arthur Blank was born into a Jewish family in Flushing, New York. He is the son of Max Blank, a pharmacist, and Molly Blank, and has an older brother named Michael. Blank’s academic journey led him to graduate from Stuyvesant High School in New York City. He continued his education at Babson Institute, where he obtained his degree in 1963.

After completing his education, Blank embarked on his career at Arthur Young and Company, where he served as a senior accountant. His professional journey also led him to the Daylin corporation, where he eventually became the president of Elliott’s Drug Stores/Stripe Discount Stores, a division of Daylin. However, his tenure at Daylin came to an end due to internal power struggles. Subsequently, Blank moved to Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers, where he served as vice president of finance.

It was in 1978 that Blank co-founded The Home Depot alongside Bernard Marcus. The revolutionary concept of one-stop shopping for do-it-yourself enthusiasts transformed the home improvement industry. Blank’s visionary leadership, along with Marcus and a group of initial investors, propelled The Home Depot to unprecedented success, making both co-founders billionaires. Blank went on to serve as the company’s president for 19 years and later assumed the role of CEO, succeeding Marcus. Blank retired from The Home Depot in 2001 as co-chairman, having left an indelible mark on the retail industry.

Today, Arthur Blank serves as the Chairman of AMB Group LLC, the parent company of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, two professional sports teams based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Arthur Blank: A Sports Mogul and Philanthropist

In February 2002, Arthur Blank acquired the Atlanta Falcons franchise in the National Football League (NFL). He also bought the Arena Football League franchise, the Georgia Force, in September 2004, subsequently relocating it to Atlanta from suburban Gwinnett County. His interests in sports ownership extended beyond football. He founded an expansion Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise named Atlanta United FC, which commenced play in 2017. The club shares Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the Falcons. Blank also played a pivotal role in setting up the new headquarters of the United States Soccer Federation in Atlanta.

Arthur Blank’s commitment to philanthropy is evident through his role as chairman of The Arthur Blank Family Foundation and his service on the Board of Trustees of Emory University. In March 2020, his foundation announced a generous donation of nearly $5.4 million to support the coronavirus pandemic response in Georgia and Montana.

Additionally, Blank’s foundation donated $200 million to the new Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospital project, resulting in the hospital being named after him, The Arthur M. Blank Hospital, scheduled to open in 2024. Furthermore, Blank is a signatory of The Giving Pledge, affirming his dedication to allocate at least 50% of his wealth to charitable endeavors.

The Personal Life of Arthur Blank

Arthur Blank has been married three times and has three children from his first marriage with Diana Blank: Kenny Blank, Dena Blank Kimball, and Danielle Blank Thomsen. In 1995, he married Stephanie V. Blank, and they had three children together: Joshua Blank, Max Blank, and Kylie Blank. In June 2016, Blank married Angela Macuga, who had three children from a previous marriage. However, they announced their pending divorce on January 1, 2019.

Beyond his business and philanthropic ventures, Arthur Blank owns Mountain Sky Guest Ranch and West Creek Ranch outside Yellowstone National Park in Paradise Valley, Montana. He is also the owner of several PGA TOUR Superstores.

In 2016, Blank disclosed that he had treatable prostate cancer, but he announced that he was cancer-free following successful treatment in March of the same year. Arthur Blank’s life story is a testament to entrepreneurial success, philanthropic dedication, and a lasting impact on the worlds of business and sports. Zatrun.com has conducted an in-depth analysis of his remarkable legacy.