Ever wondered who the top richest women are? It’s pretty amazing to think about how these women have made it to the top.
They’ve worked super hard, come up with smart ideas, or inherited and then grew their wealth in big ways. In this list, we’re diving into the stories of the women who’ve climbed to the very top of the money mountain.
We’re talking about who they are, how they made their fortunes, and what they’re doing with all that cash.
It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about their journeys, the challenges they’ve faced, and the incredible things they’re doing with their wealth.
So, if you’re curious to find out who these powerhouse women are, stick around!
Table of Contents
| Name | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Françoise Bettencourt Meyers & family | $80.5 billion |
| Julia Koch & family | $59 billion |
| Alice Walton | $56.7 billion |
| Jacqueline Mars | $38.3 billion |
| Miriam Adelson & family | $35 billion |
| Rafaela Aponte-Diamant | $31.2 billion |
| Susanne Klatten | $27.4 billion |
| Gina Rinehart | $27 billion |
| MacKenzie Scott | $24.4 billion |
| Iris Fontbona & family | $23.1 billion |
Number one on the list is Françoise Bettencourt Meyers & family, with a net worth of $80.5 billion. She is 69 years old and comes from France.
Her wealth comes from L’Oréal, a big cosmetics company. She’s been the richest woman in the world for three years in a row.
That’s because the value of L’Oréal’s stock went up by 12% compared to last year.
Source: Town & Country Magazine
Besides being super rich, she’s also done some good things. She gave $230 million, along with L’Oréal, to help rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral. She’s also busy with her own investment firm called Téthys Invest.
This company supports different projects, such as a private hospital in France called Elsan.
Ranked second is Julia Koch & family, with a net worth of $59 billion. She is a 60-year-old American who lives in the United States. She lost her husband in 2019 and inherited his wealth.
She owns 42% of Koch Industries, a big company, and her three grown-up children share it, too. Julia is in charge of something called the David H.
Source: Wikipedia
Koch Foundation, which has given about $1.8 billion to different causes.
These causes include helping with poverty and addiction problems, ensuring fair justice, and promoting education. In January, she became a trustee at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
With a net worth of $56.7 billion, Alice Walton is 73 years old and from the United States. She inherited a stake in Walmart from her father, who helped start the company.
She’s known for creating the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which showcases artworks by famous artists like Warhol and Rockwell.
Source: CultureMap Fort Worth
She was appointed to the position in recognition of her philanthropic work, her commitment to the arts, and her experience in business.
She is the first woman to serve on the museum’s Board of Trustees in over a century, and her appointment was seen as a step forward in diversifying the museum’s leadership.
At 83, Jacqueline Mars has a net worth of $38.3 billion. She and her brother own Mars Inc., a huge company known for candies like M&Ms and Snickers.
The company has a long history, and it was founded by her grandfather.
Source: Washingtonian
For example, in her new role, Mars will lead the museum’s strategic planning, governance, and financial oversight and use her experience with Mars Inc. to diversify the museum’s leadership.
With a net worth of $35 billion, Miriam Adelson, aged 77, is based in the U.S. She’s the main shareholder of Las Vegas Sands, a big casino company.
After her husband, Sheldon Adelson, passed away, she inherited this role. In addition to business, she’s made significant donations for medical research.
Source: Dave Bassett
For instance, she donated $200 million to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Medicine, the largest donation in the school’s history.
This donation was inspired by her late husband’s struggles with cancer and her desire to help find a cure for the disease.
As such, it was a way for her to honor her husband’s memory while also helping to fund medical research.
Rafaela, 78 years old, is from Italy and has a net worth of $31.2 billion. She co-founded MSC, a shipping giant, with her husband. They started with just one ship, and now they’re among the richest women.
Their story shows how small beginnings can lead to big success.
For instance, Rafaela recently donated $1 billion to establish a research institute focused on medical advances and treatments for infectious diseases.
Source: Facebook
Rafaela and her husband’s hard work, dedication, and determination to succeed are what allowed them to turn their small business into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.
Their success has enabled them to give back to society by donating to worthy causes and making a lasting impact.
At 60 years old, Susanne Klatten from Germany owns 19% of BMW, a famous car company. She inherited her business sense from her family, who played a key role in building BMW’s luxury reputation.
She’s also involved in the chemicals industry. Susanne Klatten has a net worth of $27.4 Billion.
For instance, she has donated over $100 million to the University of Munich to establish the Klatten Institute for Social Impact, which focuses on research on social and environmental issues.
Source: Facebook
Her family’s background in the automotive industry enabled her to develop a keen understanding of the luxury market, as well as the chemicals industry.
She has used her knowledge to make a significant impact in both areas, donating money to research social and environmental issues.
Aged 69, Gina Rinehart from Australia is worth $27 billion.
She’s known for leading Hancock Prospecting Group, a company in mining and farming. Although her wealth decreased due to changes in iron ore prices, she’s still the richest person in Australia.
Source: The Australian Women’s Weekly
For example, she donated $7 million to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy to help protect the endangered species in the country.
Her philanthropic contributions are a testament to her resilience and determination to help others despite the fact that her wealth decreased due to changes in iron ore prices.
This shows that she is generous, caring, and committed to making a positive impact on society.
With a net worth of $24.4 billion, MacKenzie Scott, aged 52, inherited a share of Amazon after her divorce from Jeff Bezos.
She’s using her wealth to make a big impact by donating billions to various charities through her organization. Back in May 2019, shortly after she revealed the details of her divorce on Twitter, she made a commitment called the Giving Pledge.
This promise means she plans to give away at least half of her wealth during her lifetime.
Source: NPR
Through a website named Yield Giving, Scott shares information about the incredible $14.4 billion she’s donated since 2020. This money has gone to nearly 1,600 nonprofits.
What’s interesting is her approach to giving. She likes to keep things simple. She gives with “no strings attached,” which means the nonprofits she supports have full freedom to decide how to use the funds in the best way.
It’s worth mentioning that Scott is not just about giving. She’s also a writer.
She has written two novels. Plus, she had the chance to learn from the famous author Toni Morrison while studying at Princeton. In fact, she even worked as a research assistant for her.
Iris Fontbona, aged 80, is worth $23.1 billion and hails from Chile. She’s the wealthiest woman in Latin America and took over her late husband’s business empire.
Source: CareerAddict
She’s a major player in mining and holds significant stakes in various industries. For example, Iris Fontbona’s business empire includes stakes in the Antofagasta copper-mining company and Banco de Chile.
Iris Fontbona has been actively involved in managing her late husband’s business empire and has gained significant experience in various industries.
She has invested in copper mining and banking and has also taken a keen interest in research and development, as evidenced by her work as a research assistant.
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So, there you have it, the stories of some of the richest women around the globe.
It’s pretty cool to see how diverse their paths to wealth can be, from creating mega-companies to transforming inherited fortunes into even bigger successes.
What stands out is not just the billions in their bank accounts but how they’re using their wealth to make a difference, support good causes, and pave the way for future generations.
Remember, it’s not just about how much money you have, but what you do with it that really counts. These women are proof that with hard work, smart decisions, and a bit of luck, the sky’s the limit.
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