Top 10 Richest Women in the World 2024

Get insights into the financial prowess of the Richest women in the world 2024. Explore the updated Forbes richest women list of the top 10 wealthiest women globally, uncovering the remarkable achievements and influence of these successful individuals.

As of August 2024, According to Forbes, the crown for the world’s richest woman belonged to Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the heiress to the L’Oréal cosmetics empire. Her estimated net worth at the time was a staggering $90.4 billion. Close behind in second place was Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, with a net worth of $61.5 billion.

Julia Koch, widow of billionaire industrialist David Koch, came in third with an estimated net worth of $59 billion. Rounding out the top four was Jacqueline Mars, granddaughter of Mars, Inc. founder Frank Mars, whose net worth was estimated at $38.3 billion.

Richest Women in the World

In this article, we have covered the list of the Richest Women in the world, the Richest self-made women in the world, and many more.

Let’s dive right in.

Top 10 Richest Women in the World 2024

Here is the List of Richest women in the world 2024:

Richest women in the world 2024
Wealth Rankings for Women	Female Billionaires list	Net Worth (in US Dollar)	Source	Country
1	Françoise Bettencourt Meyers	$80.5B	L’Oréal	France
2	Julia Koch	$59B	Koch Industries	U.S.
3	Alice Walton	$56.7B	Walmart	U.S.
4	Jacqueline Mars	$38.3B	Mars Inc	U.S.
5	Miriam Adelson	$35B	Casinos	U.S.
6	Rafaela Aponte-Diamant	$31.2B	Shipping
7	Susanne Klatten	$27.4B	BMW, Pharmaceuticals	Germany
8	Gina Rinehart	$27B	Mining	Australia
9	MacKenzie Scott	$24.4B	Amazon	U.S.
10	Iris Fontbona	$23.1B	Mining	Chile

1. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers & family

• Net Worth: $80.5 Billion
• Age: 69
• Source of Wealth: L’Oréal
• Citizenship: France
• Key Highlights: World’s richest woman for the third consecutive year; pledged $230 million for Notre Dame Cathedral’s reconstruction.

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, at 69, retains her position as the world’s wealthiest woman for the third consecutive year, with a net worth of $80.5 billion. As the heiress to the L’Oréal fortune, she saw a 12% rise in the cosmetics giant’s stock. Apart from her business engagements, she is known for philanthropy, pledging $230 million for the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral and supporting various projects through her investment firm, Téthys Invest.

2. Julia Koch & family

• Net Worth: $59 Billion
• Age: 60
• Source of Wealth: Koch Industries
• Citizenship: U.S.
• Key Highlights: Widow of David Koch; oversees David H. Koch Foundation with $1.8 billion in charitable donations.

Richest Women in the World – Julia Koch

Aged 60, Julia Koch, widow of David Koch, holds the second spot with a net worth of $59 billion. She owns 42% of Koch Industries and oversees the David H. Koch Foundation, contributing approximately $1.8 billion to causes like poverty, addiction-related issues, criminal justice, and education. Recently appointed as a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she continues the legacy of her late husband.

3. Alice Walton

• Net Worth: $56.7 Billion
• Age: 73
• Source of Wealth: Walmart
• Citizenship: U.S.
• Key Highlights: Inherited stake in Walmart; opened Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas.

Richest Women in the World – Alice Walton

At 73, Alice Walton, with a net worth of $56.7 billion, inherits a stake in Walmart from her father, Sam Walton. Known in Arkansas for opening the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Walton is recognized for her contributions to the family’s hometown of Bentonville, featuring works from artists like Warhol, Rockwell, and Rothko.

4. Jacqueline Mars

• Net Worth: $38.3 Billion
• Age: 83
• Source of Wealth: Candy, pet food
• Citizenship: U.S.
• Key Highlights: Owns one-third of Mars Inc., a multinational giant in candy and pet food.

Jacqueline Mars, aged 83, possesses a net worth of $38.3 billion. Co-owner of Mars Inc. alongside her brother, John Mars, she owns an estimated one-third of the multinational candy and pet food giant. The company, founded by her grandfather in 1911, produces popular brands such as M&M’s, Hubba Bubba, and Snickers.

5. Miriam Adelson & family

• Net Worth: $35 Billion
• Age: 77
• Source of Wealth: Casinos
• Citizenship: U.S.
• Key Highlights: Majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands; widow of Sheldon Adelson.

Richest Women in the World – Miriam Adelson

Aged 77, Miriam Adelson has a net worth of $35 billion and is the majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands, the world’s largest casino operator. After the passing of her husband, Sheldon Adelson, in 2021, she inherited the stake. Adelson, a medical doctor, has contributed nearly $1 billion to medical research and drug discovery.

6. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant

• Net Worth: $31.2 Billion
• Age: 78
• Source of Wealth: Shipping
• Citizenship: Italy
• Key Highlights: Co-founded MSC, one of the world’s largest shipping companies; highest-ranked self-made female.

Joining the top 10 this year at 78, Rafaela Aponte-Diamant holds a net worth of $31.2 billion. As the highest-ranked self-made female ever, she co-founded MSC, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, with her husband Gianluigi. The family-run business, initiated in 1970, continues to thrive, with Rafaela responsible for decorating ships for MSC Cruises.

7. Susanne Klatten

• Net Worth: $27.4 Billion
• Age: 60
• Source of Wealth: BMW, pharmaceuticals
• Citizenship: Germany
• Key Highlights: Owns 19% of BMW; also owns Altana, a chemicals company.

Richest Women in the World – Susanne Klatten

Susanne Klatten, 60, is worth $27.4 billion and owns 19% of German automaker BMW. An economist with an M.B.A., she also controls Altana, a chemicals company founded by her grandfather. Klatten’s wealth and influence extend beyond the automotive industry, reflecting her family’s legacy in German business.

8. Gina Rinehart

• Net Worth: $27 Billion
• Age: 69
• Source of Wealth: Mining
• Citizenship: Australia
• Key Highlights: Chairs Hancock Prospecting Group; wealthiest person in Australia.

Richest Women in the World – Gina Rinehart

With a net worth of $27 billion, Gina Rinehart, aged 69, chairs the mining and agriculture company Hancock Prospecting Group in Australia. Inheriting the business from her father, Lang Hancock, she remains the wealthiest person in Australia, despite a drop in fortune due to falling iron ore prices.

9. MacKenzie Scott

• Net Worth: $24.4 Billion
• Age: 52
• Source of Wealth: Amazon
• Citizenship: U.S.
• Key Highlights: Ex-wife of Jeff Bezos; donated over $14 billion to charities.

Richest Women in the World – Mackenzie Scott

At 52, MacKenzie Scott holds a net worth of $24.4 billion, inherited from her divorce from Jeff Bezos in 2019. Known for her remarkable charitable giving, totaling more than $14 billion, Scott has donated extensively through her organization, Yield Giving. She has directed her wealth towards supporting numerous charities worldwide.

10. Iris Fontbona & family

Iris Fontbona, the wealthiest woman in Latin America at 80, has a net worth of $23.1 billion. Widow of Chilean tycoon Andrónico Luksic, she, along with her two sons, owns and chairs Antofagasta plc, a Chile-based mining company specializing in copper production. Additionally, Fontbona holds a significant stake in Quiñenco, a publicly traded holding company engaged in manufacturing, banking, and beverages.

• Net Worth: $23.1 Billion
• Age: 80
• Source of Wealth: Mining
• Citizenship: Chile
• Key Highlights: Widow of Andrónico Luksic; owns Antofogasta plc, a Chile-based mining company.

Read: Bernard Arnault Net Worth in 2024

Top 10 Richest Women in the World and Source of Income

• Françoise Bettencourt Meyers: L’Oréal heiress, wealth from cosmetics and beauty.
• Alice Walton: Walmart heiress, wealth from retail.
• Julia Koch: Koch Industries, wealth from diversified conglomerate.
• MacKenzie Scott: Amazon, wealth from divorce settlement and investments.
• Jacqueline Mars: Mars Incorporated, wealth from candy and pet food.
• Yang Huiyan: Country Garden Holdings, wealth from real estate.
• Susanne Klatten: BMW and Altana, wealth from automotive and pharmaceuticals.
• Gina Rinehart: Hancock Prospecting, wealth from mining.
• Iris Fontbona: Antofagasta PLC, wealth from mining.
• Laurene Powell Jobs: Emerson Collective, wealth from Apple and Disney stocks.

Top 10 Richest Women in the World Forbes

• Forbes annually updates the list of the world’s wealthiest women, highlighting their net worth, industries, and changes in their financial status.

Top 10 Richest Women in the World and Why

• These women have either inherited significant wealth or built their fortunes through strategic investments, business acumen, and maintaining or expanding their family businesses.

Top 10 Richest Women in the World and How They Got Their Money

• A combination of inheritance, savvy business decisions, investments, and in some cases, divorce settlements have contributed to their immense wealth.

Largest Female Billionaires

• This group includes women who have crossed the billion-dollar net worth mark through various industries such as technology, retail, cosmetics, and resources.

Richest Women in the World by Net Worth

• Net worths range from tens of billions to over a hundred billion dollars, with fluctuations based on market values, investments, and personal ventures.

Richest Self-Made Woman in the World

The following is the Top 10 wealthiest women:

Wealthiest Women Globally
Rank	Name	Net Worth (Billion USD)	Source of Wealth	Country
1	Fan Hongwei	18.2	Petrochemicals	China
2	Rafaela Aponte	16.8*	Shipping containers	Switzerland
3	Wu Yajun	15.3	Real estate	China
4	Diane Hendricks	10.7	Construction	United States
5	Judy Love	9.7*	Retail and gas	United States
6	Wang Laichun	9.5	Electronic components	China
7	Zhong Huijuan	8.1	Pharmaceuticals	China
8	Lynda Resnick	8*	Agriculture and water	United States
9	Zhou Qunfei	7.1	Smartphones screens	Hong Kong, China
10	Judy Faulkner	7	Health IT	United States

Read: Richest Man in the World

Conclusion – World’s Richest Women List Updated

The Forbes richest women have diverse backgrounds and wealth sources. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, Julia Koch, Alice Walton, and others inherit their fortunes or have family legacies. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant is a self-made billionaire, while newcomers like Rohiqa Cyrus Mistry and MacKenzie Scott bring unique stories. Their wealth comes from various industries, reflecting their impact on the global economy.

Richest women in the world 2024 – FAQs

Who is the richest woman in the world as of 2024?

As of 2024, the richest woman’s identity and net worth can fluctuate, often tied to stock market changes. Historically, figures like Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, Alice Walton, or MacKenzie Scott have topped the list, primarily through inheritance, stakes in large corporations, or divorce settlements.

How did the top 10 richest women acquire their wealth?

Their wealth comes from inheritance, founding successful companies, investments, and significant shares in global corporations.

Have there been any new entries into the top 10 richest women in 2024?

New entries could emerge from sectors like technology, biotech, or through strategic investments, reflecting shifts in global wealth distribution.

Which industries are most represented among the world’s wealthiest women?

Technology, fashion, cosmetics, and retail are common industries among the wealthiest women.

Who are the top 10 richest women in the world in 2024?

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, Julia Koch, Alice Walton, and Jacqueline Mars lead the list, with others like Iris Fontbona and Gina Rinehart also featuring prominently.

Who is the richest woman in the world in 2024?

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the French heiress of the L’Oréal fortune, is the world’s richest woman in 2024.

What is Françoise Bettencourt Meyers’ net worth?

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers boasts a net worth of around $95 billion, making her the wealthiest woman globally.

Which industries do these top 10 richest women belong to?

They hail from various industries, including cosmetics (L’Oréal), retail (Walmart), mining (Hancock Prospecting), and investments (Koch Industries).

Are there any self-made women in the top 10 richest list?

Yes, the list includes self-made billionaires like Gina Rinehart, who built her fortune in mining.

How has the list of the top 10 richest women changed over the years?

The list evolves with changes in net worth, impacted by market dynamics, investments, and inheritances, showcasing new entrants and shifts among the ranks.

What is the combined net worth of the top 10 richest women in 2024?

The combined net worth of the top 10 richest women is in the hundreds of billions, reflecting significant wealth accumulation in various sectors.

What are the philanthropic endeavors of the world’s richest women?

Many engage in philanthropy, funding education, healthcare, climate change initiatives, and arts through personal foundations.

Are there any self-made women entrepreneurs in the top 10 list?

Yes, the list includes self-made entrepreneurs who’ve built fortunes in tech, beauty, and apparel.

Who is the richest wife in the world?

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is the world’s richest wife in the world. Francoise is a French businesswoman and the current richest woman in the world with the net worth of around $90.4 B. She is wife of Jean-Pierre Meyers.

Who is the richest lady alive?

According to facts from Forbes, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the 70-year-old heir to the L’Oréal beauty empire is the world’s richest woman, is now also the first woman to amass a staggering $100 billion fortune.

Who is the richest female on earth?

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers. With an eye-watering net worth of $80.5 billion, is considered as the richest female on earth.

Who is the richest woman in India?

Savitri Jindal is the richest woman in India, with net worth of $29.0 B, Her source of wealth comes from Jindal Group.