Women have made their names in every field, including the list of billionaire people in the world. Even though many of them were heiresses, they worked hard to expand their fame and name into new areas. Not only did they maintain their fortunes, but they also added wealth to them as well. Here is the list of the top 20 richest women in the world in 2023-2024 along with their journey to become a billionaire. Check out the top 10 richest women in the world along with their updated net worths for 2023.
Richest Women in the World 2023
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers – $74 billion
The world’s richest woman Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is a French businesswoman and billionaire heiress. As well as being a writer, pianist, and philanthropist, she has an estimated net worth of 90 billion US dollars. During her grandfather’s lifetime, Eugène Schueller founded French personal care company L’Oréal, which gave her this massive fortune. Her fortune tripled after her mother’s death in September 2017, as a result of her family holding company investments.
Alice Walton – $65 billion
In order to accumulate her enormous fortune, Alice Louise Walton became the heiress of Walmart Inc., a multinational retailer that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. After being replaced by Francoise Bettencourt Meyers in 2020, Alice lost the title of richest woman, but she is still among the top 20 richest women in the world in 2023. In support of Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, she has made notable contributions to Progress for America and Restore Our Future, the conservative super PAC.
Julia Koch – $60 billion
A billionaire by inheritance, Julia Margaret Flesher Koch is the president of the David H. Koch Foundation and was formerly on the board of directors of the School of American Ballet. Her husband and she both made large donations to the Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Forbes included her on its list of the top 10 richest women in the world for 2020. She is also a well-known socialite and a philanthropist.
Mackenzie Scott – $43 billion
She became the fourth richest woman in the world after divorcing Jeff Bezos in 2019. Her ex-husband founded Amazon and she owned 4% of that company. Forbes named her one of the world’s most powerful women in 2021, and she is a novelist and philanthropist. In 2005, she won the American Book Award for her debut novel, The Testing of Luther Albright, and was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020. In addition to running Bystander Revolution, a non-profit organization that battles bullying, Scott is also one of the biggest contributors to working charities on an annual basis.
Jacqueline Mars – $31 billion
As the heiress to the American candy company Mars, Jacqueline Mars inherits the company from Audrey Ruth (Meyer), Forrest Mars, Sr., and Frank C. Mars. In 2023, she will be one of the top 10 richest women in America, the 18th richest American, and the 48th richest on earth. She’s the wealthiest Virginian. Mars, Inc. hired her in 1982 as Food Product Group President, and she retired in 2001.
Gina Rinehart – $30 billion
Founder of Hancock Prospecting, Gina Reinhart is the Executive Chairwoman. The company is privately owned and operated by her father, Lang Hancock. In May 2021, a Guardian Australia investigation found Rinehart to be the single largest landowner in Australia. Rinehart is Australia’s richest person. In 2012, she was named the world’s wealthiest woman, and she remains in the top 10 worldwide. A dip in her wealth following 2012 was followed by an increase in Australia’s iron ore demand in 2020
Miriam Adelson – $27 billion
As a physician and publisher of Israel Hayom, Miriam Adelson holds the seat of a voting member on the board of trustees for the University of Southern California. She was presented with the Woodrow Wilson Award in 2008, along with her husband, for corporate citizenship. She was also granted honorary citizenship in Jerusalem in 2013. In 2018, Donald Trump awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In addition to owning a majority interest in Las Vegas Sands, Adelson is the 7th richest woman in the world, the 44th richest individual and the richest Israeli in the world.
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Susanne Klatten – $24 billion
A German billionaire heiress, Susananne Hanna Ursula Klatten is the 8th wealthiest woman in the world, 65th overall, and the richest in Germany. As a result of inheriting her father’s pharmaceutical and chemicals manufacturing company in Atlanta, she became a billionaire. In addition to her efforts on the supervisory board, she transformed the company into a global corporation. According to estimates, her net worth in 2023 will be 25 billion US dollars. Following the death of her mother, she purchased a 19.2% stake in BMW with her brother Stefan Quandt and served on the supervisory board with him.
Iris Fontbona – $22 billion
Iris Balbina Fontbona González inherited Antofagasta PLC after her husband died, which made her a billionaire businesswoman. Besides Antofagasta mining, she is also in control of Banco de Chile, Madeco, a copper products manufacturer, CCU, the country’s largest brewer, and CSAV, a shipping company. In 2023, she will be among the wealthiest individuals in Chile, Latin America, and the world. Following the death of her husband, she not only managed to make their family business grow but it reached its new heights of success.
Yang Huiyan – $18 billion
Originally born in Shunde, Guangdong, China, Yang Huiyan holds the majority stake in Country Garden Holdings and is a billionaire businesswoman and real estate developer. Her father established Country Garden Holdings in 1997, a real estate company owned by her father, Yang Guoqiang. Before Country Garden Holdings went public in 2007, Yang Huiyan’s father transferred 70% of its shares to him. He is estimated to have a net worth of $11.1 billion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the richest woman in the world?
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is the richest women in the world.
Who are the top 5 richest woman in the world?
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, Alice Walton, Julia Koch, Jacqueline Mars, and Miriam Adelson are the top 5 richest women in the world.