May 10, 1957

African American entrepreneur Annie Pope Malone dies at the age of 79. She grew her small business into a household name in the early 1900s, making her one of the wealthiest women in St. Louis and one of the first Black millionaires in the country. Her hair care business specializing in products specifically designed for African Americans boomed when the World’s Fair came to town in 1904.

Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.

Photo courtesy State Historical Society of Missouri