Mama Ziglar’s Blueprint for a Life That Matters

 Mama Ziglar’s story is one of faith, strength, and love. It tells how a woman with a fifth grade education, widowed during the Great Depression with ten children to raise, became a living example of integrity and perseverance. Born Lila Wescott in the rural South, she faced life with steady courage and an unshakable belief that doing right always mattered more than being right. She taught that life was not about who wins an argument but about what truth stands firm. She raised her children on principles of faith in God, hard work, honesty, and gratitude. Her favorite saying was that “whatever is right, do it,” and her life proved that those words carried power. Though she never held a paying job or kept a bank account, her influence reached far beyond her home through her children, especially Zig Ziglar, who carried her values to millions.

Mama Ziglar believed in living with purpose. She taught her children to work hard, respect others, and face every trial with faith and optimism. She believed that true happiness comes not from what we receive but from what we give. She managed her household with wisdom and order, keeping three jars for tithing, saving, and spending. Every penny had a purpose, and her children learned discipline by watching her live it. When money was scarce, she relied on faith and found creative ways to provide, from selling butter and milk to growing large gardens that never failed to feed the family. She expected every child to take part, not only in work but in learning. Education and honesty were her cornerstones. Her steady voice and calm presence built confidence in her children, and her gentle whisper of “Jesus” every time she walked through a doorway showed her complete trust in divine guidance.

For today’s entrepreneurs, Mama Ziglar’s lessons shine with new relevance. In an age of speed, competition, and changing values, her simple truths offer a timeless foundation. She taught that success begins with character and that the best investment anyone can make is in doing what is right. Her belief that there is no such thing as something for nothing applies directly to modern business. Lasting success comes from steady effort, clear purpose, and honest service. She also believed that the value of work is found in joy, not just in results. Entrepreneurs who build with faith, integrity, and gratitude will find the same strength that carried Mama Ziglar through every hardship. Her story reminds us that the greatest legacy is not measured in money or fame but in the lives we touch and the example we leave behind.

Read "Mama Ziglar, A Five Foot Tall Giant," written by Judge Ziglar.