In 1935, Grace Groner, a secretary, invested $180 in her employer Abbott; 75 years later, it had grown to about $7 million

Grace Groner made an investment of $180 in 1935, that eventually become a multimillion-dollar fortune.

Groner was working as a secretary at Abbott Laboratories when she bought three shares of the company for $60 each, putting $180 into the investment. She held on to the shares for decades.

When Groner died in January 2010 at the age of 100, her estate was worth about $7 million, according to CBS News. A later Business Insider report cited a value of about $7.2 million.

Grace Groner bought three Abbott shares for $180

Groner graduated from Lake Forest College in 1931 before beginning her career at Abbott Laboratories, where she worked as a secretary for 43 years, according to CBS News.

In 1935, she purchased three shares of Abbott stock for $60 apiece. Her total investment was $180.

Rather than selling the shares, Groner kept them for decades. Business Insider reported that the stock underwent splits over the years, while dividends were reinvested.

Her $180 investment grew into a multimillion-dollar fortune

Groner held the Abbott investment for roughly 75 years.

By the time of her death in 2010, the fortune connected to that original $180 investment had grown to about $7 million, according to CBS News. Business Insider later reported the value at about $7.2 million.

The dramatic increase came over decades as the shares were held, split and accompanied by reinvested dividends, according to the reports.

Grace Groner lived a modest lifestyle

Despite having accumulated millions of dollars, Groner lived simply.

CBS News reported that she lived in a one-bedroom home in a Chicago suburb. She bought clothes from rummage sales and walked rather than owning a car.

Her attorney, William Marlatt, told CBS News that Groner could have lived in any house in Lake Forest but chose not to.

Groner left her fortune to Lake Forest College

Groner's connection to Lake Forest College dated back to her college years. She graduated from the school in 1931.

CBS News reported that she donated $180,000 to establish a scholarship program at the college.

After her death, Groner left her estate to Lake Forest College through a foundation. The money was intended to support student internships and study-abroad programs, according to CBS News.

A $180 Abbott investment became a lasting legacy

Grace Groner's story began with three Abbott shares purchased for $180 in 1935 while she was working as a secretary at the company.

She held the investment for decades, and the fortune associated with those shares eventually reached about $7 million. After her death, the money was directed toward supporting students at Lake Forest College.

What started as a small stock purchase ultimately became a multimillion-dollar legacy for Groner's alma mater.