Arthur M. Blank is an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist, best known as co-founder of The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer. Born on September 27, 1942, in New York City to Jewish parents Max Blank, a pharmacist, and Molly Blank, he grew up in Flushing, Queens, with an older brother named Michael. Blank attended Stuyvesant High School in New York City and graduated from Babson College in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA). He later earned an MBA from Harvard University. His early career began in accounting at Arthur Young and Company as a senior accountant, followed by a stint at his father's small pharmaceutical company.

In 1978, Blank co-founded The Home Depot with Bernard Marcus after both were fired from a previous job at Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers. Under their leadership, the company grew rapidly, revolutionizing the home improvement industry with its warehouse-style stores. Blank served as president and CEO until 1997 and as co-chairman until his retirement in 2001. His business acumen led to substantial wealth, and he has since focused on philanthropy through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, supporting causes in education, youth development, and environmental conservation.

Blank is a prominent sports owner, acquiring the Atlanta Falcons NFL franchise in 2002 and founding Atlanta United FC in Major League Soccer in 2014, which quickly became one of the league's most successful teams. His influence extends to community empowerment in Atlanta, where he resides, through initiatives like the Westside Future Fund aimed at revitalizing underserved neighborhoods. He maintains a close professional and personal relationship with co-founder Bernard Marcus. Despite his success, Blank has faced some controversies, including criticism over stadium funding deals for the Falcons' Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but he remains a respected figure in business and philanthropy.