As more and more women break through the glass ceiling, the list of the world’s richest women continues to grow. From self-made entrepreneurs to heiresses, these women have earned wealth through various industries, including technology, fashion, and pharmaceuticals. 

However, the top spot on the list remains by a familiar name – Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the granddaughter of L’Oréal’s founder, tops Forbes’ World’s Billionaires list of richest women in 2021 with a net worth of $73.6 billion.

Despite the challenges and obstacles that women have faced in the business world, these successful individuals have proven that gender is not a limitation to achieving great financial success.

But of course, we all know about the richest person in the world, but have you ever wondered who the richest women are and what made them so rich? 

Well, let’s find out below! 

Richest Women In The World: 2023 Update 

While many people fall and climb on and off the billionaire’s list, one of the prominent self-made billionaires, Rihanna, was seen entering the list. Not to neglect that she is the first billionaire from Barbados. Besides, most of the richest women in the world come from the US. 

Let’s see the top 10 richest women and their net worth. 

Name	Net worth
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers	$74.8 billion
Alice Walton	$65.3 billion
Julia Koch	$60 billion
MacKenzie Scott	$43.6 billion
Jacqueline Mars	$31.7 billion
Gina Rinehart	$30.2 billion
Miriam Adelson	$27.5 billion
Susanne Klatten	$24.3 billion
Iris Fontbona	$22.8 billion
Abigail Johnson	$21.2 billion

Now that you know the names let us know them briefly below. 

1. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers

Francoise is a French businesswoman and granddaughter of the founder of one of the leading brands -Loreal. The 68-year-old billionaire was also ranked as the richest woman in the world in 2021. She overtook the business empire shortly after her mother’s demise and made her first entry on the billionaire’s list in 2018. 

2. Alice Walton 

Alice Walton is a 72-year-old businessperson from the US, the daughter of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart. This heiress of Walmart boasts a net worth of $65.3 billion as of 2023. In 2023, Alice was the wealthiest woman in the world, but she soon lost her spot. Besides focusing on Walmart, Alice has a keen interest in arts and founded the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (2005). 

3. Julia Koch 

Julia is a 60-year-old third-richest woman in the world. She is known as a philanthropist and American socialite, and she inherited her billion-dollar fortune from her late husband. Her major income source is Koch Industries, for which she and her children own 42% of the stake. She has three children and is titled the David H. Koch Foundation president. 

4. MacKenzie Scott 

MacKenzie is a 52-year-old philanthropist and author from America. She came to the spotlight soon after her divorce from her ex-husband, Jeff Bezos -2nd wealthiest man and founder of Amazon. Scott owns a 4% stake in Amazon and continues to work to give back to society, and donated around $12.5 billion to charity in the last two years. 

5. Jacqueline Mars

Jacqueline, 82, is the granddaughter of Frank C. Mars -founder of one of the largest candy companies in the world. This American heiress and investor own one-third company of Mars. She graduated and has a significant background in business and finances. Still, she is also well known for her knowledge of anthropology. 

6. Gina Rinehart

Gina is a 68-year-old Australian chief executor of her father’s company -Hancock Prospecting. The company is one of the world’s most successful mineral exploration and extraction privately-owned companies. She inherited her fortune from her father and is now Australia’s richest woman and the world’s 6th richest woman. This Australian magnate has been going through court battles against her children for the last few years due to family trust. 

7. Miriam Adelson

Miriam is an Israeli-American physician who now owns a 50% stake in her late husband’s Las Vegas Sands. Her primary source of income includes casinos. However, Miriam is also known for donating to political causes in Israel and America. Soon after her husband’s demise in 2021, she inherited his fortune and significantly controlled one of the largest casino companies in the world. 

8. Susanne Klatten

Susanne, 68, is a German business tycoon and heiress. She inherited her wealth from her late parents, Herbert Quandt and Johanna Quandt, who was known for rescuing the famous car company BMW from bankruptcy in 1959. Susanne now owns 19% of BMW motors and chemicals companies in Atlanta and has also been titled the richest woman in Germany. 

9. Iris Fontbona

Iris is an 80-year-old businesswoman, media proprietor, and mining magnate from Chile. Iris inherited Antofagasta PLC after her husband died in 2005; although her primary source of wealth is mining, she owns most of a stake in a Chilean conglomerate -Quinenco. 

10. Abigail Johnson

Abigal is a famous businesswoman and CEO of Fidelity Investments, founded by her grandfather Edward C. Johnson II. She became CEO and chairman in 2016 after her father’s death. Abigail studied at Harvard business school and now owns an estimated 24.5% stake in her grandfather’s firm. 

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Wrap Up! Richest Women In The World

In conclusion, the list of the richest women in the world is constantly changing due to fluctuations in the global economy and the shifting fortunes of individuals. However, these women have succeeded incredibly in various industries, from technology to cosmetics to finance.

Despite facing significant obstacles and societal biases, these powerful women have managed to break through the glass ceiling and achieve unprecedented wealth and influence.

Their stories serve as a source of inspiration for generations of women around the world, proving that anything is possible with hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks.

As their legacies continue to grow and evolve, one thing is certain: the impact of these women will be felt for generations to come.