The global wealth landscape has long been dominated by powerful men, but a recent shift has seen an increasing number of women rise to the top ranks of the world’s wealthiest individuals. According to Forbes’ 2021 list of billionaires, the number of female billionaires has grown significantly in recent years, with five women now ranking among the world’s richest individuals. These women have amassed their fortunes through a wide range of industries, from technology and cosmetics to media and finance, cementing their places as some of the most powerful and influential figures in the world.
Leading the pack is Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the heiress to the L’Oreal cosmetics fortune. With a net worth estimated at over $70 billion, Bettencourt Meyers is not only the richest woman in the world but also the 12th wealthiest individual overall. Bettencourt Meyers inherited her stake in L’Oreal from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, who passed away in 2017. Since taking over the family business, Bettencourt Meyers has continued to grow her wealth through savvy investments and strategic business decisions, solidifying her status as one of the most powerful figures in the beauty industry.
Following closely behind Bettencourt Meyers is Alice Walton, the heiress to the Walmart fortune. With a net worth of over $60 billion, Walton is not only the second richest woman in the world but also the wealthiest woman in the United States. As the only daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, Alice inherited a large stake in the retail giant upon her father’s passing. Since then, she has used her wealth to support numerous philanthropic causes, including education, healthcare, and the arts, making her a prominent figure in the world of charitable giving.
Rounding out the top five richest women in the world are MacKenzie Scott, Julia Koch, and Zhong Huijuan. Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is now one of the wealthiest women in the world thanks to her substantial divorce settlement. With a net worth of over $50 billion, Scott has pledged to give away a significant portion of her fortune to charitable causes, focusing on initiatives that support gender equality, racial equity, and economic mobility. Julia Koch, the widow of billionaire industrialist David Koch, inherited a massive fortune upon her husband’s passing, making her one of the richest women in the world with a net worth of over $40 billion. Finally, Zhong Huijuan, the founder of Chinese pharmaceutical company Hansoh Pharmaceutical, rounds out the top five with a net worth of over $25 billion, making her one of the wealthiest self-made women in the world.
The rise of these five women to the ranks of the world’s wealthiest individuals is a testament to the increasing power and influence of female entrepreneurs and business leaders. In industries traditionally dominated by men, these women have carved out their own paths to success, leveraging their wealth and resources to make a positive impact on the world around them. From supporting charitable causes to driving innovation and growth in their respective industries, these women are a force to be reckoned with, reshaping the global wealth landscape and inspiring future generations of female leaders to follow in their footsteps.
As the global economy continues to evolve and develop, it is likely that more women will rise to the ranks of the world’s wealthiest individuals, challenging traditional notions of wealth and power and paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive future. With their wealth, influence, and dedication to making a positive impact on the world, the five richest women in the world are setting a powerful example for women everywhere, showing that with determination, hard work, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.
