The landscape of global wealth is dominated by towering figures, and increasingly, women are claiming their place at the apex of this financial hierarchy. The world’s ten richest women collectively control a staggering fortune exceeding half a trillion dollars, a testament to their influence across industries from cosmetics and retail to mining and shipping. While the majority of these fortunes are inherited, built upon the foundations of iconic, multi-generational family enterprises like L’Oréal, Walmart, and Mars, a closer look reveals diverse stories of stewardship, strategic expansion, and, in some cases, groundbreaking entrepreneurship and philanthropy that are reshaping how immense wealth is managed and deployed in the 21st century.
Understanding Wealth Among the World’s Richest Women
An analysis of the world’s wealthiest women reveals a powerful, recurring theme: the enduring strength of legacy. The vast majority of the women on this list derive their fortunes from businesses started by their parents or grandparents. These are not passive inheritances; in most cases, these women play active roles as board members, stakeholders, and guardians of their family’s commercial legacy.
These fortunes are concentrated in industries that have proven resilient over decades. Consumer goods, luxury products, and retail form the bedrock of many of these empires, demonstrating the long-term value of brands that become household names. From the lipstick in a handbag to the chocolate bar in a vending machine, their influence is woven into the fabric of daily commerce.
However, the narrative is slowly evolving. While inherited wealth remains dominant, the list also features figures who have dramatically expanded their family’s business or built fortunes alongside their spouses. Furthermore, the story of MacKenzie Scott introduces a modern paradigm of wealth acquired through divorce, which she is now using to revolutionize the world of philanthropy.
Top 10 Richest Women: Net Worth & How They Made Their Money (Updated for Mid-2025)
The rankings of the world’s wealthiest individuals are fluid, changing with market fluctuations. However, the names on this list have shown remarkable consistency. Here is a detailed look at the top 10 richest women and the stories behind their fortunes, based on current financial data.
#1: Françoise Bettencourt Meyers
As the granddaughter of the founder of L’Oréal, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers remains the richest woman in the world, with an estimated net worth around $90.3 billion – $99.5 billion. Her immense wealth is tied to her family’s approximately 33% stake in the global cosmetics giant, a company her grandfather, Eugène Schueller, founded in 1909. Bettencourt Meyers has served on L’Oréal’s board since 1997 and is the chairwoman of the family’s holding company, Téthys Invest. Despite her immense fortune, she continues to be known for her private nature, preferring intellectual pursuits over the social spotlight. She is an accomplished author who has written books on Greek mythology and biblical commentary.
#2: Alice Walton
The only daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, Alice Walton’s fortune, estimated at $107.3 billion – $117 billion, stems from her significant stake in the world’s largest retailer. Unlike her brothers, Rob and Jim, who have been active in running the company, Alice has focused her energies on art curation and philanthropy. Her most significant public project is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which she founded in Bentonville, Arkansas. The museum, with its world-class collection, was designed to bring art and cultural opportunities to the American heartland. Her passion for art, rather than the day-to-day operations of Walmart, defines her public legacy.
#3: Julia Koch
Julia Koch and her three children inherited a 42% stake in Koch Industries after the death of her husband, David Koch, in 2019. With an estimated net worth of around $74.2 billion, Koch Industries is the second-largest private company in the U.S., with diversified interests in manufacturing, chemicals, and energy. Since inheriting the fortune, Julia Koch has taken on a prominent role in the philanthropic world. She serves as the president of the David H. Koch Foundation, overseeing the distribution of hundreds of millions of dollars to causes including medical research, education, and the arts.
#4: Jacqueline Mars
Jacqueline Mars is the granddaughter of Frank C. Mars, the founder of the candy and food conglomerate Mars, Incorporated. She owns an estimated one-third of the company, which is famous for iconic brands like M&Ms, Snickers, and Pedigree pet food. Her net worth is approximately $39.8 billion. She worked for the company for nearly 20 years and served on its board until 2016. Today, her son, Stephen Badger, is the chairman of the board, continuing the family’s direct involvement. Jacqueline remains a well-known philanthropist, with a particular focus on education and conservation.
#5: Rafaela Aponte-Diamant
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant is a formidable self-made billionaire, holding an estimated net worth of $38.0 billion. In 1970, she and her husband, Gianluigi, took out a $200,000 loan to embark on their ambitious journey with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Today, it stands as the world’s largest shipping line and a major cruise operator. Rafaela herself plays a pivotal role, specifically responsible for the intricate decoration of the ships for the company’s cruise division, MSC Cruises, and she holds a crucial 50% stake in the overall company. The Aponte-Diamant story is a classic entrepreneurial tale of starting small, taking calculated risks, and building a global leader in a critical industry.
#6: Abigail Johnson
Abigail Johnson, with an estimated net worth of approximately $36.1 billion – $38.0 billion, is the chairwoman and CEO of Fidelity Investments, the financial services giant founded by her grandfather, Edward C. Johnson II. She actively runs the empire she inherited, becoming CEO in 2014 and chairwoman in 2016. Under her astute leadership, Fidelity has not only expanded its vast assets under management but also pioneered ventures into cutting-edge areas such as cryptocurrency investments, launching a platform for institutional investors. Her strategic foresight and embrace of innovation have solidified her position as one of the most powerful women in global finance.
#7: MacKenzie Scott
MacKenzie Scott’s fortune, currently estimated at around $29.5 billion – $35.9 billion, comes from her 2019 divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, in which she received a 4% stake in the e-commerce giant. Her story is unique on this list, as her wealth was acquired through a settlement, but what she has done with it is truly revolutionary. Shortly after her divorce, Scott signed the Giving Pledge, committing to give away the majority of her wealth. She has since donated billions to thousands of non-profits using a “no strings attached” approach that empowers organizations to use the funds as they see fit. Her rapid and trust-based philanthropy has continued to challenge traditional models and set a new standard for large-scale giving.
#8: Savitri Jindal & family
Savitri Jindal is the venerable matriarch of the O.P. Jindal Group, a sprawling Indian conglomerate with deep roots in steel, power, infrastructure, and cement. With an estimated net worth of around $32.3 billion – $35.5 billion, she holds the title of India’s richest woman. She assumed the chair of the group after the tragic passing of her husband, O.P. Jindal, in 2005. The business has since flourished under the leadership of her four sons, who each manage different arms of the diversified company. Her family’s journey is a testament to resilience and strategic leadership in building an industrial powerhouse in India.
#9: Miriam Adelson & family
Miriam Adelson is the majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands, the world’s largest casino operator, with an estimated net worth of approximately $29.5 billion – $32.1 billion. She inherited the stake after her husband, Sheldon Adelson, passed away in 2021. The company owns iconic properties in Macau and Singapore. A medical doctor by training, Adelson is a prominent philanthropist alongside her family, donating hundreds of millions to medical research and Jewish causes. In 2022, Las Vegas Sands sold its flagship Venetian Resort in Las Vegas for $6.25 billion to focus on its more profitable Asian operations, and she has since acquired a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks NBA team.
#10: Susanne Klatten
Germany’s richest woman, Susanne Klatten, with an estimated net worth of around $25.2 billion – $27.7 billion, owns about 19% of automaker BMW. Her mother was the third wife of Herbert Quandt, the legendary industrialist who famously saved BMW from bankruptcy in the 1950s. Klatten and her brother, Stefan Quandt, together own nearly half of the esteemed car company. An economist by training, Klatten is far from a passive heir. She is also the sole owner and deputy chair of Altana, a specialty chemicals company her grandfather founded. She has played a key role in transforming Altana into a world-class corporation, demonstrating shrewd business acumen beyond her inherited fortune.
Lessons for Financial Growth
The stories of these ten women, while unfolding on a global stage, offer timeless lessons for anyone seeking to build and preserve wealth. The most prominent theme is the power of long-term investment in high-quality, resilient businesses. Companies like L’Oréal, Walmart, and Mars have created generational wealth because they sell products people consistently need and desire.
Diversification, even within a core holding, is another key takeaway. While many of these fortunes are tied to a single company, the families often use holding companies and family offices to invest in other assets, mitigating risk. Finally, the growing emphasis on philanthropy, particularly by Scott and Adelson, highlights a shift where giving back is not just an afterthought but a central part of a financial legacy.
In conclusion, the list of the world’s richest women is a powerful snapshot of where wealth resides today—largely within storied, family-run enterprises in durable sectors. However, the emergence of figures like Gina Rinehart and Rafaela Aponte-Diamant signals the growing potential for female entrepreneurs to build their own empires from the ground up. As the dynamics of global business continue to evolve, the composition of this list will serve as a key indicator of the changing role of women in the highest echelons of finance and industry.
