Top 10 Richest women in the world (2024)

In today’s world, women have been breaking barriers and making their way into the top positions in various fields. This holds true even in the world of wealth and finance, where we see many women who have successfully climbed the ladder and made it to the list of the richest people in the world. In this article, we will be looking at the top 10 richest women in the world, including Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, Alice Walton, Julia Koch, MacKenzie Scott, Jacqueline Mars, Gina Rinehart, Miriam Adelson, Susanne Klatten, Iris Fontbona, and Abigail Johnson. We will explore their source of wealth, their achievements, and how they made it to the top of the game.

The world’s richest women

1. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is the richest woman in the world, with a net worth of approximately $74.8 billion. She is the granddaughter of L’Oreal founder Eugene Schueller and inherited her fortune after her mother’s death in 2017.

Meyers is a philanthropist and author, and she chairs the family holding company, Tethys SAS. She has been active in advocating for social justice and is committed to promoting ethical and sustainable business practices.

2. Alice Walton

Alice Walton is the second-richest woman in the world, with a net worth of approximately $65.3 billion. She is the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton and inherited her fortune after his death in 1992. Walton is an art collector and philanthropist and has been active in supporting education, health, and the arts.

She is also a member of the board of directors of the Walton Family Foundation, which supports various causes such as conservation, education, and improving K-12 education in the United States.

3. Julia Koch

Julia Koch is the third-richest woman in the world, with a net worth of approximately $60 billion. She inherited her fortune from her late husband, industrialist, and philanthropist David Koch, who passed away in 2019. Koch is the founder and president of the David H. Koch Foundation, which supports various causes such as education, medical research, and the arts.

She is also involved in various other philanthropic organizations, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

4. MacKenzie Scott

MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is a renowned author and philanthropist. She is ranked as the fourth-richest woman in the world, with a net worth of approximately $43.6 billion. In 2020, Scott made headlines with her extraordinary act of generosity, donating over $4 billion to a range of charitable causes.

Her donations supported a diverse range of organizations, including food banks, historically black colleges and universities, and organizations championing women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights. Scott’s philanthropic efforts have set an inspiring example for others to follow.

5. Jacqueline Mars

Jacqueline Mars, the daughter of Forrest Mars, inherited a massive fortune from her father who was the founder of the Mars candy empire. With a net worth of approximately $31.7 billion, she is ranked as the fifth-richest woman in the world.

Despite her immense wealth, Mars is actively involved in philanthropic and environmental causes. She supports various organizations, including the Smithsonian Institution and the World Wildlife Fund, which align with her values and help make a positive impact on the world.

6. Gina Rinehart

Gina Rinehart is a prominent Australian mining magnate who inherited the chairmanship of Hancock Prospecting from her father. With a net worth of around $30.2 billion, she is currently the sixth-richest woman in the world.

Rinehart is also known for her philanthropic endeavors, which include supporting medical research and education. Her contributions have helped to improve the lives of many people and make a positive impact on society.

7. Miriam Adelson

Miriam Adelson is the seventh-richest woman in the world, with a net worth of approximately $27.5 billion. She is an Israeli-American philanthropist and physician and is the widow of Sheldon Adelson, a casino magnate who passed away in 2021.

Adelson is the founder of the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation, which supports research into various medical fields, including cancer, neurology, and immunology. She is also a patron of the arts and has been involved in supporting various cultural institutions in Israel and the United States.

8. Susanne Klatten

Susanne Klatten is the eighth-richest woman in the world, with a net worth of approximately $24.3 billion. She is a German businesswoman and inherited her fortune from her father, Herbert Quandt, who co-founded the automaker BMW.

Klatten is involved in various businesses, including pharmaceuticals and renewable energy. She is also a philanthropist and has been active in supporting various educational and cultural initiatives in Germany.

9. Iris Fontbona

Iris Fontbona is the ninth-richest woman in the world, with a net worth of approximately $22.8 billion. She inherited her fortune from her late husband, Andronico Luksic, who founded the Luksic Group, a mining and industrial conglomerate. Fontbona is involved in various businesses, including mining, beverages, and banking. She is also a philanthropist and has been active in supporting various social and cultural initiatives in Chile.

10. Abigail Johnson

Abigail Johnson is the tenth-richest woman in the world, with a net worth of approximately $21.2 billion. She is an American businesswoman and is the CEO of Fidelity Investments, a financial services company founded by her grandfather.

Johnson has been active in promoting gender diversity in the financial industry and has been involved in supporting various educational and cultural initiatives in the United States.

Conclusion

The world’s richest women have built their fortunes through a combination of inheritance, business acumen, and hard work. The top ten richest women in the world have a combined net worth of over $300 billion, highlighting the growing economic power of women in the global business landscape. These women have proven that gender is no longer a barrier to financial success and have become influential figures in their respective industries.

They have also used their wealth to give back to society, supporting philanthropic causes and initiatives that benefit the less fortunate. It is worth noting that many of these women have also faced challenges and obstacles in their careers, but they have persevered and overcome these hurdles to achieve remarkable success. Their stories are an inspiration to women around the world and serve as a reminder of the important role that women can play in shaping the future of the global economy.