One of twelve siblings was born, a small girl, on a chilly day in 1946 in the Tennessee highlands, at the start of this engrossing tale. Though her family was poor, her siblings thought she was the most beautiful baby.

 

 

The family’s deep affection kept them going during difficult times.

 

The family’s deep affection kept them going during difficult times.

Neighbors disputed, saying her family was no poorer than others in the neighborhood, despite her claims that poverty plagued her early life.

The daughter, who was born into a household where having many children was customary, received her father’s driven, business-focused nature and her mother’s creativity and spirituality. She says she inherited her achievement by having the best traits from both of her parents.