Top 10 Richest Women in the World: A Closer Look at the Wealthiest Women of 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of global wealth, women continue to solidify their positions among the world’s financial elite. The richest women come from diverse backgrounds, including business, technology, and inheritance, and they represent a range of industries. Many of these women have not only built impressive financial empires but have also made significant contributions to philanthropy, innovation, and corporate leadership. This article explores the lives and fortunes of the top 10 richest women in the world, highlighting their paths to success and their lasting impact on global wealth distribution.
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1. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers – $90.4 Billion
Country: France
Industry: Cosmetics
Company: L’Oréal
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the granddaughter of L’Oréal’s founder Eugène Schueller, tops the list as the wealthiest woman in the world. Bettencourt Meyers inherited her fortune after the death of her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, in 2017. L’Oréal, the global cosmetics giant, is known for brands like Maybelline, Lancôme, and Garnier.
Bettencourt Meyers is not just a passive heiress; she plays an active role in the company’s board and has helped oversee its international expansion. Beyond business, Bettencourt Meyers is an accomplished author of biblical commentaries and is known for her dedication to charitable causes, particularly in areas such as scientific research, the arts, and French culture.
2. Alice Walton – $62.7 Billion
Country: United States
Industry: Retail
Company: Walmart
Alice Walton is the daughter of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, the world’s largest retailer by revenue. Despite being an heir to the Walmart fortune, Walton has distanced herself from day-to-day involvement in the company. Instead, she has dedicated much of her life to art and philanthropy.
Walton is the driving force behind the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas, which houses an impressive collection of American masterpieces. Her philanthropic efforts extend to improving education and healthcare in the U.S. through the Walton Family Foundation.
3. Julia Koch – $60 Billion
Country: United States
Industry: Industrial
Company: Koch Industries
Julia Koch, the widow of industrialist David Koch, inherited her fortune after his death in 2019. Koch Industries, a privately held multinational corporation, operates in various sectors including chemicals, energy, and manufacturing. The company is one of the largest privately owned firms in the world.
Julia Koch now holds a 42% stake in Koch Industries, alongside her three children. While she maintains a relatively low public profile, her influence in one of America’s largest industrial conglomerates is undeniable. Koch is also deeply involved in philanthropic activities, particularly in medical research and the arts.
4. Jacqueline Mars – $38 Billion
Country: United States
Industry: Confectionery
Company: Mars, Incorporated
Jacqueline Mars is an heir to the Mars family fortune, which comes from Mars, Inc., the company known for brands like M&Ms, Snickers, and Pedigree pet foods. Mars, Incorporated is a global leader in the confectionery, pet care, and food industries, and it remains privately owned by the Mars family.
Mars herself spent many years working for the company and remains involved in the family’s various philanthropic endeavors. She supports causes in education, the arts, and conservation. Despite her vast fortune, Mars has kept a relatively low profile and is known for her dedication to preserving family values and business principles.
5. Miriam Adelson – $35 Billion
Country: United States
Industry: Casinos
Company: Las Vegas Sands
Miriam Adelson, the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, became one of the richest women in the world after inheriting her husband’s stakes in Las Vegas Sands, a leading global developer of destination resorts. Sheldon Adelson was a powerful figure in both the business and political worlds, known for his influence in the casino industry and his significant contributions to conservative causes in the U.S. and Israel.
Miriam Adelson, an Israeli-American physician, is a prominent philanthropist. She focuses her philanthropic efforts on medical research, particularly in the areas of drug addiction and rehabilitation. She also continues to be a powerful force in the political and philanthropic spheres, carrying forward her late husband’s legacy.
6. Gina Rinehart – $31 Billion
Country: Australia
Industry: Mining
Company: Hancock Prospecting
Gina Rinehart is Australia’s richest woman, owing her fortune to the mining industry. She is the chairperson of Hancock Prospecting, a mining company that her father, Lang Hancock, founded. Under her leadership, Hancock Prospecting has become a leading player in the global iron ore industry, particularly in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Rinehart is known for her entrepreneurial skills and aggressive business tactics. Despite facing legal battles within her family regarding the division of her fortune, she has continued to expand her mining empire and remains one of the most powerful figures in Australia’s corporate world.
7. Susanne Klatten – $27 Billion
Country: Germany
Industry: Automotive, Pharmaceuticals
Company: BMW, Altana
Susanne Klatten, a member of Germany’s wealthiest family, owes much of her fortune to her stakes in two major companies: BMW and the chemical firm Altana. Klatten is the daughter of Herbert and Johanna Quandt, and she inherited her father’s shares in BMW, making her the richest woman in Germany.
Klatten is actively involved in both BMW and Altana, playing key roles in their corporate governance. Known for her business acumen, Klatten has expanded her wealth through strategic investments in various sectors, including wind energy and biotechnology. Her philanthropic efforts focus on environmental conservation, education, and scientific research.
8. MacKenzie Scott – $25 Billion
Country: United States
Industry: E-commerce, Philanthropy
Company: Amazon
MacKenzie Scott, formerly married to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, became one of the richest women in the world following her divorce in 2019. As part of the settlement, Scott received a 4% stake in Amazon, which was worth billions of dollars. However, what sets Scott apart is her unprecedented approach to philanthropy.
Since 2019, Scott has donated more than $12 billion to various charitable causes, focusing on equity, racial justice, education, and economic mobility. Her “no-strings-attached” philanthropic model has transformed the landscape of modern giving, and she continues to be a powerful advocate for social justice.
9. Abigail Johnson – $22 Billion
Country: United States
Industry: Finance
Company: Fidelity Investments
Abigail Johnson is the chairperson and CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the largest and most influential financial services companies in the world. Johnson is the third generation of her family to run Fidelity, following in the footsteps of her grandfather Edward C. Johnson II and her father, Edward C. Johnson III.
Under her leadership, Fidelity has continued to thrive, managing over $4 trillion in assets. Johnson has been instrumental in adapting the company to new technologies and modern investment strategies, making Fidelity a powerhouse in global finance. She is also a notable advocate for diversity in the financial industry and has been involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors.
10. Iris Fontbona – $21 Billion
Country: Chile
Industry: Mining
Company: Antofagasta PLC
Iris Fontbona, the widow of Chilean mining magnate Andrónico Luksic, controls one of the world’s largest copper mining operations through Antofagasta PLC. Fontbona and her family also hold significant stakes in several other industries, including banking, manufacturing, and beverages. The Luksic family is one of the wealthiest and most powerful in Latin America.
Fontbona’s wealth comes largely from copper mining in Chile, one of the world’s most resource-rich countries. Despite her immense fortune, Fontbona remains relatively private, focusing on family and philanthropic activities, including healthcare, education, and cultural preservation.
The Role of Inheritance and Self-Made Wealth
Many of the women on this list inherited their wealth, often from fathers or husbands who built substantial business empires. However, what is noteworthy is that these women are not merely passive heirs. Most of them are actively involved in running the companies they inherited or have expanded their fortunes through strategic investments and entrepreneurial efforts.
Women like Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, Alice Walton, and Julia Koch have taken on leadership roles in their respective companies, ensuring their businesses continue to thrive and grow. Others, such as MacKenzie Scott and Abigail Johnson, have used their wealth and influence to champion causes like education, racial equity, and financial literacy.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility
One of the most striking aspects of these women is their commitment to philanthropy. Many of the richest women in the world have dedicated significant portions of their fortunes to charitable causes. MacKenzie Scott, in particular, has set new standards for philanthropy by donating billions of dollars to organizations focused on social justice, education, and the environment.
Similarly, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers and her family have supported various initiatives in science, the arts, and humanitarian efforts. Alice Walton’s contributions to the arts and education, through the Walton Family Foundation, have left a lasting impact on American culture and society.
