She turned public companies’ annual meetings into stages for a theatrical, confrontational and self-promoting version of shareholder activism.
Peterson served as U.S. Commerce secretary under President Richard Nixon.
Benson built his net worth of about $1.7 billion through automobile dealerships, banking concerns and real estate.
Pickens earned much of his wealth in the energy futures market after turning 75 in 2003.
The matriarch of the family that co-owns the New York Giants, she was one of America's richest women.