23 Richest Women in the World: How They Made Their Fortune
In the world, there are many richest women. Some inherited their wealth, while others made it through their own business ventures. Regardless of how they got there, these women are all incredibly wealthy. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at each of these women and find out how they became some of the richest people on earth!
23 Richest Women in the World
1. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers – $73.6 billion
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is the richest woman in the world, with a net worth of $73.6 billion. Bettencourt Meyers inherited her fortune from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, who was the heiress of the L’Oreal cosmetics empire. Bettencourt Meyers has worked for L’Oreal for over 20 years and currently serves on its board of directors.
She also owns a stake in The Daily Mail and General Trust, a British media company. In addition to her business interests, Bettencourt Meyers is an avid art collector and philanthropist. She is a member of the French Academy of Fine Arts, and her collection includes works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Henri Matisse. Bettencourt Meyers has donated millions of dollars to charitable causes, including education, health care, and the arts.
2. Alice Walton – $61.7 billion
With a net worth of $61.7 billion, Alice Walton is the Richest Woman in the World. She is the daughter of the founder of Walmart, Sam Walton. Walton has worked for her father’s company for many years, and she currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Arvest Bank Group, Inc. In addition to her work in the business world, Walton is an active philanthropist. She has donated billions of dollars to charitable causes, including education, healthcare, and the arts. Walton is also an avid art collector, and she has one of the largest private collections in the world. Her passion for art has led her to open several art museums, including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas.
3. MacKenzie Bezos – $59.6 billion
With a net worth of $59.6 billion, MacKenzie Bezos is the richest woman in the world. She is also the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder, and CEO. The couple divorced in 2019, with MacKenzie receiving a 4% stake in Amazon as part of the settlement. In addition to her wealth, she is also a noted philanthropist. In 2019, she donated $1.7 billion to various charitable causes, including education and homelessness. She also signed the Giving Pledge, promising to give away at least half of her wealth to charity. With her combination of wealth and philanthropy, MacKenzie Bezos is truly one of the most influential women in the world today.
4. Julia Koch & Family – $55.8 billion
Julia Koch and her family are currently the richest women in the world, with a net worth of $55.8 billion. Koch inherited her fortune from her late husband, David Koch, who was one of the wealthiest men in America. She is now the sole owner of Koch Industries, a conglomerate that spans multiple industries, including oil and gas, chemicals, and manufacturing. Koch is also a major philanthropist, donating millions of dollars to various causes each year. Thanks to her impressive wealth, Julia Koch is truly one of the most powerful women in the world today.
5 . Jacqueline Mars – $41.3 billion
As of 2018, Jacqueline Mars is the richest woman in the world, with a net worth of $41.3 billion. She inherited her fortune from her father, Forrest Mars Sr., who founded the Mars candy company. Jacqueline currently serves as a board member for the company, which is best known for its chocolate bars and M&M’s.
While she no longer plays an active role in the day-to-day operations of the business, Jacqueline remains involved in its strategic decisions and serves as a valuable ambassador for the Mars brand. In addition to her work at Mars, Jacqueline is a passionate philanthropist and has been active in numerous charitable causes throughout her life. She is truly an inspirational figure and an excellent role model for women in business.
6. Yang Huiyan & Family – $38 billion
Yang Huiyan & Family are the Richest Women in the World with a net worth of $38 billion. Yang Huiyan is the majority shareholder of Country Garden Holdings, one of China’s largest real estate developers. She inherited her stake in the company from her father, who founded Country Garden in 1997. While Yang Huiyan is the Richest Woman in the World, she is not the only billionaire in her family. Her husband, Zhuhai-based property tycoon Xu Rongmao, is also a billionaire, with a net worth of $1.9 billion. Together, the couple has an estimated net worth of $40 billion.
7. Maria Helena Moraes Scripilliti – $35 billion
Maria Helena Moraes Scripilliti is the richest woman in the world, with a net worth of $35 billion. She is the widow of former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and she currently serves as the head of the family’s holding company, Grupo Luis Alves. Scripilliti is a savvy businesswoman, and she has used her position to amass a vast fortune. She has also been a generous philanthropist, donating billions of dollars to charitable causes. Scripilliti is an inspiring example of what one can achieve through hard work and determination.
8. Laurene Powell Jobs & Family – $24.5 billion
According to Forbes, Laurene Powell Jobs is the richest woman in the world, with a net worth of $24.5 billion. Powell Jobs is the widow of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, and she currently serves as the president of the Steve & Laurene Jobs Foundation. In addition to her work in philanthropy, Powell Jobs also has a major stake in The Walt Disney Company, which she inherited after her husband’s death. With her impressive business acumen and vast fortune, Powell Jobs is truly a powerful woman to reckon with.
9 . Ghislaine Maxwell – $24 billion
According to Forbes, Ghislaine Maxwell is the 24th richest woman in the world, with a net worth of $24 billion. Maxwell made her fortune through her family’s investment firm, which she inherited after her father’s death in 1991. She has since used her wealth to become a major philanthropist, donating millions to causes such as education and medical research. In addition, Maxwell is a well-known socialite, often attending high-profile events and parties. Given her wealth and prominence, it is no surprise that Ghislaine Maxwell is one of the richest women in the world.
10 . Iris Fontbona & family – $23.4 billion
Iris Fontbona is the richest woman in Chile, and one of the richest women in the world. She has a net worth of $23.4 billion, most of which comes from her family’s stake in the mining company Antofagasta. Fontbona is a widow, and her three children all have significant roles in Antofagasta. Her son Jean-Paul is the chairman of the board, while her daughters Andrea and Veronica each have a seat on the board. The Fontbona family has been involved in Antofagasta since its inception, and they continue to hold a controlling interest in the company. Thanks to their ongoing success, the Fontbonas are likely to remain among the richest families in the world for many years to come.
11 . Susanne Klatten – $23 billion
Susanne is the heir to the German conglomerate BMW, and also has a large stake in chemical company BASF. She also has a successful business career in her own right, with interests in wind power and carbon trading. In 2007, she was named Germany’s richest woman, and she continues to be one of the country’s most influential businesswomen. So if you’re ever feeling down about your bank balance, just remember that there are people like Susanne Klatten out there who make you look like a pauper!
12 . Falguni Nayar -$4.7 billion
Falguni Nayar is one of the richest women in India. She is the Founder, CEO, and Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank, one of the largest banks in India. Nayar was born into a wealthy family and received a good education. She started her career as an investment banker with Goldman Sachs in New York. After several years, she returned to India and joined Kotak Mahindra Bank. Under her leadership, the bank has grown to become one of the leading financial institutions in the country. In addition to her business success, Nayar is also a popular philanthropist. She has donated millions of dollars to various charities and causes. Thanks to her efforts, she is one of the most respected and admired women in India.
13 . Vicky Safra-$10.2 billion
Vicky Safra is one of the richest women in the world, with a net worth of $10.2 billion. She is the widow of Brazilian banker Edmond Safra, who died in 1999. Vicky Safra inherited her husband’s fortune, which he had amassed through his work as an international financier. She has since used her wealth to support a number of charitable causes, including education and health care. In addition, she is a major patron of the arts and has helped to fund the restoration of several important works of art. Safra is also an active philanthropist and has established a foundation that provides financial assistance to needy students.
14 . Sara Mota de Larrea – $6.4 billion
Sara Mota de Larrea is one of the Richest Women in the World. Mexico’s Richest Woman, who is also the widow of former Mexican President Carlos Salinas, has a net worth of $6.4 billion. She is the Chairwoman and Owner of Grupo Ideal, a holding company with stakes in banking, mining, construction, and real estate. Mota de Larrea also has a stake in Televisa, Mexico’s largest media company. In addition to her business interests, Mota de Larrea is also a philanthropist and has been actively involved in various charities throughout her life.
15 . Melinda French Gates – $50 billion
Melinda French Gates is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, and wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates. She is one of the Richest Women in the World with a net worth of over $50 billion. Gates has been involved in various philanthropic and business endeavors throughout her career. In 2000, she co-founded Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company.
In 2015, she launched the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers initiative to track progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Gates is also a board member of DreamBox Learning, a company that provides online math instruction for K-12 students. In 2018, she was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering. Gates has said that her work is motivated by a desire to “leave the world a better place” than she found it.
16 . Beate Heister – $15.6 billion
Although not as widely known as some of her fellow billionaires, Beate Heister is one of the richest women in the world. A German heiress and businesswoman, she inherited a controlling stake in the pharmacy chain, Kurt Russell, from her father, who founded the company in 1961. Today, Kurt Russell is one of the largest pharmacy chains in Europe, with over 3,500 stores in Germany alone. Heister also has a significant stake in threatened disruptor Amazon. As a result of her savvy investments, Heister’s net worth is estimated to be $15.6 billion. While she maintains a low profile, Heister is clearly a force to be reckoned with in both the business and philanthropic worlds.
17 . Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken – $16.7 billion
Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken is one of the wealthiest women in the world. She is the majority shareholder of Heineken International, one of the largest brewing companies in the world. De Carvalho-Heineken inherited her stake in the company from her late father, Freddy Heineken. She has been a member of the Heineken board since 2002 and is currently the chairwoman of the supervisory board. In addition to her business interests, de Carvalho-Heineken is also a philanthropist and an art collector. She has an estimated net worth of $16.7 billion.
18 . Savitri Jindal – $8.2 billion
Born in India in 1952, Savitri Jindal is one of the richest women in the world. The daughter of O.P. Jindal, she inherited his majority stake in the Jindal Group after his death in 2005. The Jindal Group is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate with interests in steel, power, mining, and infrastructure. Under Savitri’s leadership, the company has continued to thrive, and her estimated net worth is now $8.2 billion. In addition to her business acumen, Savitri is also a noted philanthropist, and she has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of women and children in India. She has been honored with numerous awards for her achievements, and she is an inspiration to all who know her.
19 . Wu Yajun – $30 billion
Wu Yajun is one of the richest women in the world, with a net worth of over $30 billion. She is a self-made businesswoman who started her career as a journalist before moving into real estate development. Wu is the founder and Chairwoman of Longfor Properties, one of China’s leading developers of residential and commercial properties.
Under her leadership, the company has become one of the most successful in its field, with a portfolio that includes some of China’s most iconic buildings. Wu is also a noted philanthropist, donating millions of dollars to causes such as education and healthcare. She is an inspiration to many, proving that it is possible to achieve great things through hard work and determination.
20 . Elaine Marshall – $17 billion
Elaine Marshall is one of the richest women in the world, with an estimated net worth of $17 billion. She made her fortune through a combination of inheritance and savvy investments, but she is also known for her philanthropy and commitment to social causes.
In recent years, she has been a vocal advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and she has also been a major donor to educational causes. As someone who has benefited greatly from her own education, she is passionate about ensuring that others have the same opportunity to succeed. In addition to her work as a philanthropist, Elaine is also a successful businesswoman, serving on the board of directors for several companies. She is proof that it is possible to use your riches to make the world a better place.
21 . Yang Huiyan – $22.1 billion
Yang Huiyan is the Richest Woman in the World! She is from China and her net worth is estimated to be $22.1 billion dollars. That is pretty impressive, don’t you think? She is only 36 years old too. Yang Huiyan sure is an inspiring woman and I bet she has an amazing story. I would love to hear it someday. Thank you for learning about her with me. Richest Women in the World are pretty awesome, right? I think so!
22 . Radha Vembu – $1.3 billion
Radha Vembu is one of the richest women in India. She is the daughter of a wealthy business tycoon, and she has an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion. She is a well-known philanthropist, and she has donated millions of dollars to charitable causes. Vembu is also an active political supporter, and she has worked tirelessly to promote the interests of her fellow citizens. In addition to her wealth and philanthropy, Vembu is also known for her wit and sense of humor. She is often quoted in the press, and her comments are often humorous and entertaining. Despite her wealth and status, Vembu remains down-to-earth and approachable. She is a true asset to her country, and she is respected by all who know her.
23 . Abigail Johnson – $2 trillion
Abigail Johnson is one of the richest women in the world. She is the daughter of Edward C. Johnson II, the founder of Fidelity Investments. She currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the largest asset management firms in the world. Under her leadership, Fidelity has grown to manage over $2 trillion in assets. Johnson is also a trustee of several charitable organizations, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and The Salvation Army. In addition to her business accomplishments, she is an active philanthropist and a dedicated mother and grandmother. Abigail Johnson is truly an inspiration to us all.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for some entrepreneurial inspiration, take a look at these 23 richest women in the world. Some of them started with nothing, while others leveraged their family’s wealth and connections to build empires. But all of them share one common trait – an unbridled ambition and drive to succeed. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your own path to riches today.
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