Today’s GLBT History Month Icon has enjoyed the fruits of the American Dream through hard work, resiliency, and perhaps most importantly, from a strong sense of self.

Suze Orman is the United States’ most famous financial expert, television host, motivational speaker, and author who has a string of six consecutive New York Times best-sellers.

Some background:

Orman waited tables for six years before a customer loaned her $50,000 to open her own restaurant. She invested the money with Merrill Lynch. Less than six months later, she was broke, having been scammed by a stockbroker.

Orman enrolled in a Merrill Lynch account executive training program to earn back her money. After learning that what her broker did was illegal, she sued Merrill Lynch. She won back her money with interest, and repaid the restaurant customer who made her the loan. Soon after, another company hired Orman as vice president of investments.

In 1987, Orman started her own firm, the Suze Orman Financial Group. In 1997, she left to pursue a career as a writer.

Orman hosts CNBC’s The Suze Orman Show and QVC’s Suze Orman’s Financial Freedom. She lives with her partner Kelly Travis.