It’s interesting to see who the richest people in the world are at any point in time, and since this is a list still dominated by men, it’s even more interesting to see which women have the highest net worth. While some of the names of the world’s richest women in 2023 will sound familiar to you, others will surprise you, and it’s a sign that much of the world’s wealth isn’t in its most visible industries.
When you think about the top 15 richest women of 2023, you see a pattern. Many women inherited their initial fortunes from previous ventures in their family or from their spouses. Of course, anyone can get money. But these women earned top places because they know how to use it, invest it, and expand their wealth in multiple ventures.
France’s Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is currently the richest woman in the world, according to Forbes, with a net worth of $80.5 billion. On the list of wealthiest people in the world, she ranks eleven. The majority shareholder of the popular skincare and cosmetics company L’Oreal, Bettencourt is 69 years old. Julia Koch, who inherited a 42 percent stake in Koch Industries along with her three children when her husband, David, died in 2019, moved up one spot to be the world’s second-richest woman with a net worth of $59 billion.
These women have made significant contributions to their respective industries, whether through inheritance or their own business endeavors. They are an inspiration to women around the world, proving that gender is not a barrier to financial success.
Here’s a list of the top 15 World’s Richest Women as of April 2023, according to Forbes…
#1. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & family
#11
Net worth: $80.5 B
Industry: Fashion and Retail
Profile: Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is a French heiress and businesswoman, and currently, the richest woman in the world, with a net worth of $80.5 billion. She inherited her wealth from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, who was the principal shareholder of L’Oreal, one of the world’s leading beauty companies. Bettencourt Meyers now serves as the chairwoman of the family holding company, which controls 33% of L’Oreal.
#2. Julia Koch & family
#17
Net worth: $59 B
Industry: Diversified
Profile: Julia Koch is an American philanthropist and businesswoman, with a net worth of $59 billion. She inherited her wealth from her husband, David Koch, who was one of the co-owners of Koch Industries, a diversified conglomerate with interests in energy, chemicals, and more. After David Koch’s death in 2019, Julia Koch became the majority owner of the company.
#3. Alice Walton
#21
Net worth: $56.7 B
Industry: Fashion and Retail
Profile: Alice Walton is an American heiress and businesswoman, with a net worth of $56.7 billion. She is the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton and sits on the board of directors of the retail giant. Walton has also been a driving force behind the creation of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas, which features works by some of America’s most celebrated artists.
#4. Jacqueline Mars
#31
Net worth: $38.3 B
Industry: Food and Beverage
Profile: Jacqueline Mars is an American heiress and businesswoman, with a net worth of $38.3 billion. She inherited her wealth from her family’s candy company, Mars, Inc., which is responsible for some of the world’s most popular candy brands, including M&M’s and Snickers. Mars is also known for her philanthropy, including her support of environmental conservation efforts.
#5. Miriam Adelson & family
#35
Net worth: $35 B
Industry: Gambling and Casinos
Profile: Miriam Adelson is an Israeli-American philanthropist and businesswoman, with a net worth of $35 billion. She is the widow of Sheldon Adelson, a casino magnate and Republican mega-donor who passed away in 2021. The couple was known for their extensive philanthropic efforts, including donations to medical research and Jewish causes.
#6. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant
#43
Net worth: $31.2 B
Industry: Logistics
Profile: Rafaela Aponte-Diamant is a wealthy businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the co-founder of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s second-largest shipping company. Aponte-Diamant and her husband, Gianluigi Aponte, founded MSC in 1970 with just one ship, and the company has since grown to have over 500 vessels. According to Forbes, Aponte-Diamant’s net worth is estimated at $31.2 billion.
#7. Susanne Klatten
#51
Net worth: $27.4 B
Industry: Automotive
Profile: Susanne Klatten inherited her fortune from her father, Herbert Quandt, who was a major shareholder in BMW. With a net worth of $27.4 billion, she is the seventh richest woman in the world. Klatten is actively involved in philanthropy and has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education and environmental conservation.
#8. Gina Rinehart
#52
Net worth: $27 B
Industry: Metals and Mining
Profile: Gina Rinehart is a wealthy businesswoman and the executive chairman of Hancock Prospecting, a mining company founded by her father. Rinehart inherited the company in 1992 and has since transformed it into one of the largest mining companies in the world. According to Forbes, Rinehart’s net worth is estimated at $27 billion, making her the richest person in Australia.
#9. MacKenzie Scott
#60
Net worth: $24.4 B
Industry: Technology
Profile: MacKenzie Scott, formerly known as MacKenzie Bezos, is an American author, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. After the couple divorced, Scott received a 4% stake in Amazon, which translated into a net worth of $24.4 billion. She has made headlines for her philanthropic efforts, donating billions of dollars to various causes, including food banks, racial justice organizations, and historically Black colleges and universities.
#10. Iris Fontbona & family
#65
Net worth: $23.1 B
Industry: Metals and Mining
Profile: Iris Fontbona is a Chilean businesswoman and the widow of Andronico Luksic, who founded the Luksic Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in mining, banking, and manufacturing. Fontbona inherited the company after her husband’s death in 2005 and has since grown it into one of the largest mining companies in the world. According to Forbes, Fontbona’s net worth is estimated at $23.1 billion, making her the richest woman in Latin America.
#11. Abigail Johnson
#72
Net worth: $21.6 B
Industry: Finance and Investments
Profile: Abigail Johnson is an American businesswoman and the CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the largest financial services companies in the world. Johnson took over as CEO in 2014, succeeding her father and grandfather, who founded the company. Under her leadership, Fidelity has expanded its offerings to include digital assets and cryptocurrency trading.
#12. Savitri Jindal & family
#94
Net worth: $17.5 B
Industry: Metals and Mining
Profile: Savitri Jindal is an Indian businesswoman and the chairperson emeritus of the OP Jindal Group, a conglomerate with interests in steel, power, mining, and infrastructure. Jindal’s husband, Om Prakash Jindal, founded the company in 1952, and she took over as chairperson after his death in 2005.
#13. Vicky Safra & family
#100
Net worth: $16.7 B
Industry: Finance and Investments
Profile: Vicky Safra is a wealthy businesswoman and widow of Lebanese-Brazilian banker Edmond Safra, who founded the Safra Group, a global network of banks and financial institutions. Safra inherited the group after her husband’s death in 1999 and has since expanded its operations to include real estate, hotels, and other investments.
#14. Renata Kellnerova & family
#101
Net worth: $16.5 B
Industry: Finance and Investments
Profile: Renáta Kellnerová, widow of the late billionaire Petr Kellner, who died in a helicopter crash in the US two years ago, is the wealthiest Czech and 101st wealthiest person in the world. Renata Kellnerova and her family control PPF Group, an Eastern European investment house with more than 40 billion euros ($47.8 billion) in assets. The Amsterdam-based group’s investments include Home Credit, Air Bank, and O2 Czech Republic.
#15. Beate Heister
#108
Net worth: $15.8 B
Industry: Fashion and Retail
Profile: Beate Heister is a German billionaire and heiress to the Aldi supermarket fortune. She inherited her wealth from her father, Theo Albrecht, who co-founded Aldi with his brother. Heister and her family own nearly half of Aldi Nord, which operates over 2,000 stores in Europe and the United States.
Check out the full list here.
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