Summary:
- Sheila Johnson, entrepreneur and the first black woman billionaire, found sanctuary in Virginia amid rumors about her struggling marriage and the success of BET.
- As part owner of three sports teams, including the championship mystics, Johnson has her own secret garden where she enjoys morning coffee.
- Her book 'Walk Through Fire' shares the story of her life and struggles, including the difficulties of owning luxury resorts.
- Johnson is inspired by her mother's strength and perseverance and believes that walking through fire makes us stronger.
Entrepreneur Sheila Johnson, the first black woman billionaire, discusses her memoir 'Walk Through Fire' and her life journey, from co-founding BET to owning luxury resorts and sports teams.
Entrepreneur Sheila Johnson Shares Her Memoir "Walk Through Fire"
Sheila Johnson, the first black woman billionaire entrepreneur, has recently released a new memoir titled "Walk Through Fire". In interviews with various news outlets, she has shared details about her life and struggles over the years. From her successful career in founding Black Entertainment Television (BET) with her ex-husband Robert L. Johnson to her current role as part owner of three sports teams, Johnson's story is one of perseverance, resilience, and success against all odds.
A Sanctuary Amid Virginia's Rolling Hills
Johnson calls a place just outside of the nation's capital home - a sanctuary amidst Virginia's rolling hills. She retreated to this sanctuary in 1996 due to the turmoil surrounding her personal life. She needed a place of peace, and she found it within these picturesque stone walls.
From BET to Salamander Resorts
BET was a huge success, but at the time of Johnson's move to her sanctuary, her marriage had become talk of the town. Johnson's life was far from easy, despite being the first black woman to make it into the Billionaires Club. Johnson's success was hard-won, with many challenges along the way, but she persevered.
Johnson's book takes its name from the legend of the salamander, an animal that mythically can walk through fire and come out unscathed. This magical animal is a fitting motif for Johnson's collection of five-star luxury resorts named Salamander.
A Dream Realized: Salamander Farms and Rescuing a Confederate Flag
Johnson's flagship Salamander Resort and Spa is located in Middleburg, Virginia. When Johnson first started opening the resort, she faced significant opposition from the town's residents. Residents signed petitions and had hearings, but Johnson persevered, and the Salamander Resort is now a reality. Johnson even bought a building that once contained a confederate flag. She turned it into a wonderful market, showing that giving up is not in her DNA.
Early Life Challenges
Johnson's journey to becoming a woman of successful business began in a childhood filled with difficulties. By the time she was 10, she had moved 13 times, and her father could not practice in white hospitals or operate on white patients. Her father got a job in Chicago, where they finally found some stability. However, her father announced he was leaving the family, which eventually led to her mother's breakdown.
The Start of BET and Marriage
Johnson's mother was her backbone, but with her breakdown, Johnson learned to rely on herself. With the help of her violin teacher, Johnson was able to get a music scholarship to the University of Illinois. It was there that she met Bob Johnson. Their marriage lasted for 33 years, and with BET, they became a successful duo.
Divorce and Finding Love Again
Johnson's divorce was finalized in 2002, but it was not all doom and gloom. She encountered a Judge she once knew, and from there, she found love again. They married with a lavish wedding in 2005, and three years later, Johnson and Judge William T. Newman, Jr. remain strong in their relationship.
Looking Forward
Johnson is looking forward, not back, and has no intention of slowing down. She is a woman of business, resilience, and determination. Her memoir "Walk Through Fire" is a testament to that.
Sheila Johnson looks to the future and believes that walking through fire makes us stronger.