Businesswomen I envy: it's not always their money


I have been clicking along through Forbes' "Billionaire Women We Envy" list and finding very little to which I related. Sure, Oprah's on my list, but not because she's a billionaire so much. And I started thinking... what is it, really, that I envy? Because envy is far, far from admiration. It's a whole other category. Who do I envy, and why?

When I saw the headline, before I even clicked further, I thought "Maria Bartiromo." She doesn't even make Forbes' cutoff -- she's not a billionaire, for starters. But if there's anyone I envy, it's Maria, she of the smoky eyes and the men in powerful places who do stupid, stupid things for her.

What do women envy of other women? It's not their money, at least, not for me. It's their power, their fame, their ability to juggle family and career. And most of all it's their ability to manipulate others without seeming manipulative at all. It's the Money Honey, able to move markets with a bat of her dark eyelashes.

If I was to create a list of the women most worthy of a female MBA's envy, here's who would be on it:

1. Maria Bartiromo, anchor of CNBC's Closing Bell, Money Honey, she of the bedroom eyes, star of her very own "-gate". Envy factor: she has the power to make men do amazing things, and even when she's obviously worn out, she looks gorgeous on TV. She's the very definition of glamor, without being blessed with a moneyed pedigree or particularly outrageous beauty. Most amazingly, she has managed to (so far) avoid any fallout in the various scandals in which her name has appeared. That's worthy of anyone's envy.

2. Oprah Winfrey, who needs no introduction. Envy factor: it's not her money. It's not her legion of media outlets. It's the fact that she can put a special celebrating her own good works on primetime TV, and anyone who criticizes her for it is immediately attacked by thousands of her most fervent admirers. No matter how haphazardly she wields her strange power, she comes out looking like the queen of charity, and I only wish I had a little of her curious sway over millions of those home during the daytime. Note that I don't have her on my "most admired" list.

3. Meg Whitman, eBay CEO and mom of two boys. Envy factor: it's the juggle. Somehow, this amazon of the dotcom has managed to raise two boys and maintain a relationship with a neurosurgeon husband. That's right, a brain surgeon. Sure, she's CEO of a company I personally admire greatly; she's got a pedigree to kill for; she's got plenty o'money; and she's so influential it's almost criminal. But do all this, plus (what sounds like) a great family life? Wow.


4. Ivanka Trump, first daughter of He With The Hair. Envy factor: there's a bit of the 'inherited wealth,' a touch of the drop-dead beauty, and certainly a heavy dose of the fame. But most of all I envy her assumed position as arbiter of so many slavering would-be-apprentices' worth. Who appointed her judge of the worth of hundreds of very, very smart people? Oh, right, her papa. I don't want her dad. I just want her influence (and I confess an odd desire to be on that TV show, even though I'd never want to work for The Donald).

When it comes right down to it, though I often wish I was a little richer, with a little better hair, what I really desire is the ability to be in the spotlight, to be honored for my influence, and to always come through smelling like roses. That's what all my most-envied women share.

Sarah Gilbert is a Wharton MBA who was speedily rejected from the auditions for Season Three of 'The Apprentice.' She lives in Portland with two boys and a husband who, while not a neurosurgeon, is still putting up kindly with her thirst for fame.

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