The Richest Women In The World 2024

The world’s wealthiest women have shattered financial records in 2024, with 369 female billionaires now controlling a staggering $1.8 trillion in combined wealth.

Marking a historic 13.3% representation among global billionaires and demonstrating unprecedented growth from 12.8% in 2023.

In a groundbreaking achievement, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the L’Oréal heiress, stands at the pinnacle with a $99.5 billion fortune.

Nearly becoming the first woman to join the exclusive $100 billion club, while newcomer Taylor Swift makes history as the first billionaire musician solely through performances and recordings.

A New Era of Female Billionaires

The landscape of global wealth has entered a transformative phase in 2024, with women billionaires achieving unprecedented financial success. The Forbes World Billionaires list showcases 369 women among 2,781 billionaires worldwide, representing a significant 13.3% of the total. 

This percentage marks a notable increase from 12.8% in 2023, demonstrating women’s growing influence in the global economy.Their combined wealth has reached an astounding $1.8 trillion, showing an impressive increase of $240 billion from the previous year. 

Here are the top 10 richest women in the world:

1. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers & family 

The L’Oréal heiress maintains her position as the world’s wealthiest woman for the fourth consecutive year. Her $99.5 billion fortune stems from a 35% stake in the cosmetics giant. 

Under her leadership, L’Oréal has expanded its global presence and diversified its brand portfolio, including prestigious names like Maybelline and Lancôme.

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2. Alice Walton 

The only daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton has focused her $72.3 billion fortune on art and philanthropy. Her creation of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art demonstrates her commitment to cultural enrichment. 

Unlike her siblings, she chose to pursue artistic endeavors rather than direct involvement in Walmart’s operations.

3. Julia Koch & family 

Inheriting a 42% stake in Koch Industries has resulted in a $64.3 billion fortune. The company’s diverse portfolio spans oil refining, medical technology, and consumer products. Her role as a Metropolitan Museum of Art trustee showcases her dedication to cultural preservation.

4. Jacqueline Mars 

Jacqueline Mars’s $38.5 billion fortune stems from her ownership stake in Mars Inc., the global candy and pet food giant founded by her grandfather Frank C. Mars in 1911. 

The company’s portfolio includes iconic brands like M&Ms, Snickers, Ben’s Original, and Pedigree dog food. 

Her influence extends beyond ownership through strategic guidance in product development and market expansion.

5. MacKenzie Scott 

MacKenzie Scott has redefined billionaire philanthropy through her innovative approach to giving, having donated $17.3 billion of her fortune. 

Her wealth, derived from a 4% stake in Amazon following her 2019 divorce from Jeff Bezos, has been strategically deployed to support various social causes. 

Her recent donation of $640 million to 361 organizations demonstrates her commitment to impactful giving.

Despite aggressive philanthropy, her net worth has increased by $11.2 billion from last year due to Amazon’s strong performance.Her transparent approach to giving, often announcing donations through public platforms, has set new standards for billionaire philanthropy. 

Her focus on immediate impact rather than legacy building has influenced other wealthy individuals’ giving strategies. Had she not engaged in such extensive philanthropy, her net worth would have exceeded $69 billion.

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6. Savitri Jindal & family 

As chairperson of Jindal Group, Savitri Jindal leads one of India’s largest conglomerates with interests in steel, power, cement, and infrastructure. 

Following the tragic death of her husband O.P. Jindal in a helicopter crash in 2005, she took charge of the group’s strategic direction. Under her leadership, the company has expanded its global presence while maintaining strong positions in domestic markets.

The Jindal Group’s success stems from its diversified portfolio and strategic investments in emerging markets. The company’s stock performance has been exceptional, leading to a significant increase in Jindal’s net worth, making her the richest woman in India. 

Her management style emphasizes sustainable growth and technological innovation in industrial operations.Her rise from a traditional Indian housewife to leading a major industrial conglomerate worth $33.5 billion inspires women across emerging economies. 

The group’s operations provide employment to thousands while contributing significantly to India’s infrastructure development.

7. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant 

As co-founder of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company), Rafaela Aponte-Diamant represents a remarkable self-made success story in the shipping industry. Starting with a $200,000 loan in 1970, she and her husband built the world’s largest shipping line. 

Her responsibility for ship interior design has created distinctive brand identity across the MSC fleet.Her 50% ownership of MSC demonstrates equal partnership in building a global shipping empire. 

The company’s expansion into cruise lines through MSC Cruises has diversified revenue streams and enhanced market presence. Her attention to detail in ship design has set industry standards for luxury and comfort.

Under her co-leadership, MSC has achieved unprecedented growth while maintaining family ownership. The company’s success in both cargo and cruise operations showcases her business versatility. Her journey from a modest beginning to $33.1 billion net worth inspires entrepreneurs worldwide.

8. Miriam Adelson & family 

With a controlling stake in Las Vegas Sands, Miriam Adelson manages one of the world’s premier casino and resort operators valued at $32 billion. 

Following her husband Sheldon Adelson’s death in 2021, she has maintained the company’s strategic direction in global gaming markets. Her leadership has focused on expanding operations in Asia while maintaining strong positions in Las Vegas.

The company’s portfolio includes prestigious properties in Singapore and Macao, generating substantial revenue through integrated resort operations. 

Her background as a physician has influenced corporate policies on addiction prevention and responsible gaming. Her commitment to medical research has resulted in over $1 billion in lifetime philanthropic contributions.

9. Gina Rinehart 

Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart, has built her $30.8 billion fortune through strategic expansion of Hancock Prospecting Group in mining and agriculture. 

Her company’s iron ore operations have become among the world’s largest, benefiting from strong demand from Asian markets. Her successful diversification into agriculture has created one of Australia’s largest cattle operations.

Inheriting the business from her father Lang Hancock in 1992, Rinehart has multiplied the company’s value through aggressive expansion and modernization. Her investment in automated mining technologies and efficient operations has significantly increased productivity. 

Under her leadership, Hancock Prospecting has focused on environmental sustainability while maintaining profitability. Her wealth increased by 14% since March 2023, reflecting strong commodity prices and operational efficiency. 

10. Abigail Johnson 

As CEO of Fidelity Investments since 2014, Abigail Johnson has transformed the company into a modern financial powerhouse with $4.9 trillion in managed assets. 

Her leadership has steered the company through digital transformation, embracing cryptocurrency investments and modernizing customer experiences. 

Under her guidance, Fidelity achieved record revenue of $28.2 billion in 2023, demonstrating her strategic vision.

Her 28.5% stake in Fidelity represents a legacy spanning three generations, starting with her grandfather’s founding of the company in 1946. 

Johnson’s commitment to innovation has positioned Fidelity at the forefront of financial technology, including early adoption of blockchain solutions. Her focus on customer-centric services has resulted in significant market share growth and enhanced digital platforms.

Industry Leadership and Innovation

The technology sector has emerged as a powerful platform for women billionaires. Notable newcomers like Michelle Zatlyn of Cloudflare and Lisa Su of Advanced Micro Devices represent the growing influence of women in tech leadership. 

The retail and consumer goods sectors continue to be strongholds for female billionaires. Alice Walton’s Walmart inheritance and strategic investments have maintained her position among the world’s wealthiest. 

Manufacturing and industrial sectors show increasing female representation. Savitri Jindal’s leadership of the Jindal Group demonstrates women’s capability in traditionally male-dominated industries. Her success story inspires future generations of women in industrial leadership.

FAQ’s

How many new women joined the billionaire list in 2024?

46 new women earned spots on the 2024 billionaire list.

Who is the youngest woman billionaire in 2024?

Märta Schörling Andreen at age 39, worth $5.6 billion.

What percentage of women billionaires are self-made?

About 27% (100 out of 369) are self-made billionaires.

Which woman has donated the most to philanthropy?

MacKenzie Scott, with $17.3 billion in lifetime giving.

Who is the richest self-made woman billionaire?

Rafaela Aponte-Diamant with $33.1 billion from shipping.

Conclusion

The women billionaires of 2024 represent diverse paths to wealth accumulation, from inheritance to entrepreneurship. Their collective success demonstrates the increasing opportunities for women in global business leadership. 

While inherited wealth remains significant, the growing number of self-made billionaires signals positive change in gender equality at the highest financial levels.