When we think of top billionaires, names like Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos often come to mind. But did you know that the richest women in the world is worth more than some of the biggest tech giants?
Surprised? You’re not alone. Many people wonder who she is, how she made her money, and what sets her apart. In fact, the world’s wealthiest women come from a wide mix of industries—beauty, retail, mining, and even candy!
In this list, we’ll explore the Top 10 Richest Women in the World, uncovering their stories, fortunes, and how they climbed to the top. Let’s dive in.
1. Alice Walton
- Net Worth: $101 billion
- Source of Wealth: Walmart
Overview: Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, tops the list with a staggering $101 billion fortune. Her wealth skyrocketed this year thanks to a 40% surge in Walmart’s stock price. Unlike her brothers, who leaned into the retail grind, Alice has carved her own path in the arts. She founded the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, bringing world-class culture to her hometown. But she’s not stopping there—2025 marks the launch of her latest passion project: a medical school in Bentonville. Talk about a legacy that goes beyond discount aisles!
2. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers
- Net Worth: $81.6 billion
- Source of Wealth: L’Oréal
Overview: Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the French heiress to the L’Oréal empire, sits comfortably at number two with $81.6 billion. Her fortune stems from her family’s 35% stake in the cosmetics giant, inherited from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt. Beyond the boardroom (where she served for 28 years), Françoise is a thinker—she’s authored books on Greek mythology and the Bible. A philanthropist at heart, she’s also steering the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation to new heights. Beauty runs in her blood, but her impact goes way deeper.
3. Julia Koch
- Net Worth: $70.9 billion
- Source of Wealth: Koch Industries
Overview: Julia Koch steps into third place with a $70.9 billion net worth, up nearly $10 billion from last year. She inherited her 42% stake in Koch Industries—spanning energy, chemicals, and more—after her husband David Koch’s passing. Alongside her three kids, Julia’s steering this industrial titan while making waves in philanthropy. A trustee at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a big supporter of education initiatives, she’s proving she’s more than just a billionaire widow—she’s a force.
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4. Jacqueline Mars
- Net Worth: $42.3 billion
- Source of Wealth: Mars Inc.
Overview: Jacqueline Mars lands at number four with $42.3 billion, thanks to her family’s candy empire, Mars Inc. Think M&Ms, Snickers, and Twix—her grandfather started it all from his kitchen over 100 years ago. Jacqueline spent two decades on the company board and now shares ownership with her brother and nieces. Her wealth’s a sweet reminder that some legacies just keep growing, one chocolate bar at a time.
5. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant
- Net Worth: $37.7 billion
- Source of Wealth: Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
Overview: Rafaela Aponte-Diamant is the richest self-made woman on this list, boasting $37.7 billion. She co-founded MSC, the world’s largest shipping company, with her husband Gianluigi in 1970—starting with one ship and a $200,000 loan. Today, their fleet’s 900 strong, and Rafaela’s the creative genius behind MSC Cruises’ luxe ship designs. From humble beginnings to global domination, her story’s a masterclass in grit and vision.
6. Miriam Adelson
- Net Worth: $35.2 billion
- Source of Wealth: Las Vegas Sands
Overview: Miriam Adelson clocks in at $35.2 billion, a fortune built on her late husband Sheldon Adelson’s casino empire, Las Vegas Sands. A trained physician, Miriam’s donated over $1 billion to medical research, focusing on addiction and neuroscience. She’s also a political heavyweight, carrying on Sheldon’s Republican megadonor legacy. Her wealth’s a blend of high stakes and high impact.
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7. Savitri Jindal
- Net Worth: $32.3 billion
- Source of Wealth: Jindal Group
Overview: Savitri Jindal, India’s richest woman, holds the seventh spot with $32.3 billion. She chairs the Jindal Group—steel, power, and infrastructure—taking the reins after her husband’s death in 2005. A former Haryana cabinet minister, Savitri’s journey is one of resilience and leadership. She’s turned a family business into a global player, proving she’s got steel in more ways than one.
8. Marilyn Simons
- Net Worth: $31.8 billion
- Source of Wealth: Renaissance Technologies
Overview: Marilyn Simons is a new face in the top 10, with a $31.8 billion fortune inherited from her late husband, Jim Simons, who died in 2024. Jim’s hedge fund, Renaissance Technologies, was a Wall Street legend, and Marilyn’s now one of the world’s wealthiest women. She’s keeping a low profile but stepping into a big role—watch this space for her next move.
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9. Melinda French Gates
- Net Worth: $28.5 billion
- Source of Wealth: Microsoft (divorce settlement)
Overview: Melinda French Gates rounds out ninth place with $28.5 billion, a fortune tied to her 2021 divorce from Bill Gates. She’s a philanthropy titan, co-founding the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and now running Pivotal Ventures to empower women and families. Melinda’s wealth is impressive, but her mission to change the world might just outshine it.
10. Abigail Johnson
- Net Worth: $26.7 billion
- Source of Wealth: Fidelity Investments
Overview: Abigail Johnson closes the list at $26.7 billion as CEO of Fidelity Investments, the mutual fund giant her grandfather started. Since taking over in 2014, she’s grown its assets to $4.9 trillion, even dipping into Bitcoin ETFs. Abigail’s not just riding a legacy—she’s reinventing it with a sharp eye on the future.
Final Thoughts
From retail queens to shipping moguls, these women are rewriting the rules of wealth in 2025. Alice Walton’s art obsession, Rafaela Aponte-Diamant’s self-made empire, and Melinda French Gates’ world-changing philanthropy are just a few stories that stand out. Who’s your pick for the most inspiring? Let me know!
FAQs
As of April 2025, Alice Walton is the richest women in the world, with a net worth of $101 billion. She gained this position after a significant surge in Walmart’s stock value over the past year.
She is the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton and inherited a large portion of Walmart shares.
Unlike her siblings, she focused on arts and philanthropy, founding the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Yes, Savitri Jindal from India ranks among the top 10, with a net worth of $32.3 billion from her steel empire.
She currently chairs the Jindal Group and has also served as a cabinet minister in Haryana.
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the heiress of L’Oréal, held the top position for several years before Alice Walton overtook her. She is also a renowned author and leads the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation for scientific and cultural development.
Many top women billionaires inherited their wealth, but several, like Abigail Johnson (Fidelity) and Gina Rinehart (Mining) are actively involved in growing their businesses. Today, more women are taking leadership roles and driving strategic decisions in their inherited empires.
