Despite the fact that men overwhelmingly dominate the world of wealth, with all of the current top 10 richest people in the world and the 10 richest people in history being men, there are still some notable women who have managed to accumulate vast fortunes that can rival those of their male counterparts.
While only around 13% of the world’s billionaires are women, the top 10 ranking of the world’s richest women is a testament to the power and influence of these exceptional individuals.
This group of women is incredibly diverse, with some being heiresses who have inherited their wealth, while others are self-made entrepreneurs who have built their fortunes from scratch through hard work, determination, and a relentless pursuit of success. Their current net worth is the primary factor used to determine their ranking, which includes all private wealth in their name, with the exception of wealth that is primarily owned by their spouses or other family members.
Despite the systemic and pervasive gender inequalities that exist in the world of wealth and finance, these women have managed to defy the odds and establish themselves as some of the most successful and influential figures in the business world. Their stories serve as a reminder to all women that with hard work, determination, and a bit of luck, anything is possible, no matter how stacked the odds may seem.
Françoise Bettencourt-Meyers
Net Worth: $80.5 billion
Major source of wealth: L’Oréal
Date of birth: 10.07.1953
Nationality: French
Françoise Bettencourt-Meyers, granddaughter of L’Oreal founder Eugene Schueller, is a remarkable figure who has made significant contributions to society. As vice chairman and principal shareholder of L’Oreal, she has played an instrumental role in the company’s growth. She has also authored books on topics ranging from Christianity to Greek mythology, inspiring many through her writing.
Moreover, Bettencourt-Meyers is the chairwoman of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, which supports various charitable causes in France. Her commitment to her family, faith, and culture is demonstrated through her philanthropic efforts, including a pledge of over $200 million to rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire in 2017. Overall, Bettencourt-Meyers is an exceptional figure, with her wealth, literary achievements, philanthropy, professional success, and personal life all contributing to her inspiring story.
Julia Kosch
Net Worth: $59 billion
Major source of wealth: Kosch Industries
Date of birth: 12.04.1962
Nationality: American
Julia Koch, the widow of David Koch, co-owner of Koch Industries, is a well-known figure in the United States. She inherited her wealth from her late husband, who was one of the richest people in America. In 2019, she inherited 42% of Koch Industries, making her one of the world’s wealthiest women. Despite her immense fortune, Koch is known for her philanthropic efforts and dedication to various charitable causes. She co-founded and is currently the president of the David H. Koch Foundation, which supports numerous organizations and initiatives across the United States.
In addition to her work with the foundation, Koch is also involved in a number of other organizations. She serves on the board of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which is one of the world’s leading cancer research and treatment centers. Koch is also a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the most famous museums in the world. Despite facing criticism from some for her family’s business practices, Koch remains committed to using her wealth and influence to make a positive impact on the world.
Alice Walton
Net Worth: $56.7 billion
Major source of wealth: Walmart Inc.
Date of birth: 7.10.1949
Nationality: American
Alice Walton is recognized as the third richest woman in the world and is known for her inheritance of Walmart’s wealth from her father, Samuel Walton, the founder ot renowned retail giant. She is a board member of the Walton Family Foundation, which is a charitable organization that focuses on various charitable causes. Alice Walton is also the founder of the Whole Health Institute, a nonprofit organization that promotes alternative medicine to improve the health and wellbeing of people. She is also the founder of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, located in Bentonville, Arkansas, which has become a major tourist attraction in the region.
Alice Walton’s contributions to the art world have won her recognition and acclaim worldwide. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and worked in various roles in the financial industry before becoming an heiress. Despite her immense wealth, Alice Walton remains humble and focused on giving back to the community.
Jacqueline Mars
Net Worth: $38.3 billion
Major source of wealth: Mars Inc.
Date of birth: 10.10.1939
Nationality: American
Jacqueline Mars is a widely respected and successful executive, with a long history of leadership in the world’s largest candy company, Mars. She inherited her father’s wealth in 1999 and has since made a name for herself in the business world through her hard work and dedication.
In addition to her business acumen, Jacqueline is also a well-educated individual with a diverse range of interests. She pursued higher education and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania in 1961. Her passion for learning has continued to this day, and she is known for her intellectual curiosity and love of exploring new ideas.
Outside of her work in the candy industry, Jacqueline is also an active equestrian, and has long been a supporter of the United States Equestrian Team. She is a trustee of the organization, and has been instrumental in helping to support and promote the sport of equestrianism.
Miriam Adelson
Net Worth: $37.7 billion
Major source of wealth: Las Vegas Sand Corporation.
Date of birth: 10.10.1945
Nationality: American-Israeli
Miriam Adelson, a physician and medical researcher, is known for her remarkable accomplishments and contributions to society. Born in Tel Aviv to Polish Jewish immigrants, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Genetics from the Hebrew University and a medical degree from Tel Aviv University. After completing her education, she moved to the United States in 1986 to work at Rockefeller University in New York City, where she specialized in drug addiction treatment.
Miriam Adelson is the fifth richest woman in the world and the richest woman in Israel. She became the majority owner of Las Vegas Sands Corporation after her husband Sheldon Adelson, the company’s founder, passed away in 2021. In addition to her successful career as a physician and medical researcher, she has also founded two medical research centers in the United States dedicated to substance abuse research.
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant
Net Worth: $31.2 billion
Major source of wealth: Mediterranean Shipping Company
Date of birth: 26.03.1945
Nationality: Swiss-Israeli
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant’s story is one of determination and success. Born in Switzerland, she co-founded the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) with her husband Gianluigi Aponte in 1970, with the financial backing of her father. Since then, the company has grown to become the largest shipping company in the world by container capacity, and Rafaela has played a key role in its success from the very beginning.
Despite being a wealthy businesswoman, Rafaela has always been committed to giving back to society. She is a board member of MSC Foundation, the company’s charitable non-profit organization, which works towards environmental conservation, education for children in poor countries, and providing aid to regions impacted by natural disasters. This shows that Rafaela is not just a successful businesswoman, but also a compassionate and responsible member of society.
While her husband oversees the day-to-day operations of the company, Rafaela’s contribution cannot be underestimated. Her involvement in the company’s success has made her the richest self-made billionaire woman in the world, a testament to her hard work and dedication. But beyond her financial success, Rafaela’s story is one of inspiration and empowerment for women all over the world who aspire to achieve greatness in the business world.
Susanne Klatten
Net Worth: $27.4 billion
Major source of wealth: Altana AG, BMW AG, SGL Carbon, Avista Oil
Date of birth: 28.04.1942
Nationality: German
Susanne Klatten, a prominent German businesswoman, is the daughter of Herbert Quandt, the former CEO of BMW. After her father’s death, Klatten and her family inherited his stake in the company. Since then, she has become a principal shareholder and board member of BMW, Altana, and SGL Carbon, overseeing the companies’ strategic development and direction.
Klatten’s educational background is impressive, having obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of Buckingham and a Master of Business Administration from the prestigious International Institute for Management Development. Her academic training has undoubtedly contributed to her success in the business world.
Beyond her business endeavors, Klatten is also known for her philanthropy work. She supports young entrepreneurs and start-up companies in Germany, providing them with resources and mentorship to help them succeed. Additionally, she is a major donor to the conservative Christian Democratic Union party, exemplifying her commitment to supporting the causes and values she believes in.
Gina Rinehart
Net Worth: $27 billion
Major source of wealth: Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd
Date of birth: 9.02.1954
Nationality: Australian
Gina Rinehart is a prominent figure in the Australian mining industry due to her wealth and business savvy. She inherited Hancock Prospecting, a major player in the industry, from her father. Under her leadership, the company has expanded to include coal and oil exploration and has become one of the largest privately-held mining companies in the world. Despite challenges, Rinehart has proven herself to be a capable and innovative leader. She has also invested heavily in media companies and agricultural ventures.
Rinehart is married twice and has four children. In addition to her business and personal endeavors, Rinehart is involved in politics and supports right-wing parties and policies. She is passionate about the Westralian Secession Movement, which aims to secede Western Australia from Australia and make it an independent country. Rinehart’s life and accomplishments demonstrate the power of hard work, dedication, and innovation in the face of adversity.
MacKenzie Scott
Net Worth: $24.4 billion
Major source of wealth: Amazon.com
Date of birth: 7.04.1974
Nationality: American
MacKenzie Scott is a well-known personality, ranked ninth among the world’s wealthiest women. She achieved her immense wealth due to her marriage with Jeff Bezos, the third-richest man in the world, who gave her 25% of the couple’s shared Amazon stocks following their divorce. This made her an overnight billionaire and one of the richest women in the world.
Born in San Francisco, she grew up in Lakeville and graduated from Princeton University with a degree in English. She met Bezos while working at an investment management firm in New York. Following their marriage, they moved to Seattle, where she played an instrumental role in overseeing the company’s first freight contract negotiations as Amazon’s first employee. After her divorce, Scott has focused on philanthropy and has donated $14 billion to various charitable causes. She is also a part-time novelist and has four children from her previous marriage. She remarried in 2021 but the marriage only lasted a bit over a year. Despite this, Scott continues to be influential in the worlds of business and philanthropy.
Iris Fontbona
Net Worth: $23.1 billion
Major source of wealth: Quiñenco S.A., Antofagasta PLC
Date of birth: 8.01.1942
Nationality: Chilean
Iris Fontbona, a businesswoman from Chile, is known as the wealthiest woman in Chile and the 10th richest woman in the world. She inherited the majority of her husband Andronico Luksic’s fortune after his death in 2005, and now co-manages the family’s businesses, including Antofagasta, one of the world’s largest mining companies based in the United Kingdom, and Quiñenco, a Chilean conglomerate for non-mining related businesses.
Fontbona and Luksic met when she was 17 and married three years later. Luksic founded the Luksic Group, which acquired Antofagasta and turned it into one of the world’s largest copper producers. He also established Quiñenco, a conglomerate for non-mining related businesses. Since her husband’s death, Fontbona has been managing both companies. Through Quiñenco, she co-owns several companies, including ENEX, a Chilean oil refining and gas station service company, CCU, Chile’s largest manufacturer of beverages, Nexans, a major French cable manufacturing company, CSAV, Chile’s biggest shipping company, and Banco de Chile, Chile’s third-largest bank.
