Nineteen Italian billionaires have made it onto Forbes’ list of the world’s richest people. The list starts with Massimiliana Landini Aleotti of the Menarini pharmaceutical family at 350th place, although she disputes the estimated $7.5 billion net worth attributed to her by Forbes. In second and third place in Italy are Miuccia Prada with $5.6 billion and Marilisa Del Vecchio, Nicoletta Zampillo, and Paola Del Vecchio of Exilorluxottica with $4.6 billion each. Sixth on the Italian list is Giuliana Benetton with $3.3 billion, followed by Susan Carol Holland of Amplifon, Isabella Seragnoli of Coesia, and Alessandra Garovaglia of Campari, all with $3.2 billion.
At 1,043rd place, Marina Prada closes out the top 10 Italian billionaires with a net worth of $2.4 billion. Maria Franca Fissolo of the Ferrero family is at 1,569th place with $2 billion, followed by Sabrina and Barbara Benetton with $1.8 billion and $1.5 billion respectively. Beyond the 2,000th place, there are six more Italian billionaires: Annalisa Doris and Lina Tombolato, Simona Giorgetta, and Veronica Squinzi all have net worths ranging from $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion. At 2,532nd place overall and 18th and 19th among Italian billionaires are Giuliana and Marina Caprotti, each with an estimated $1.2 billion in wealth.
The presence of these 19 Italian billionaires on the Forbes list underscores the significant wealth held by women in Italy. From pharmaceuticals to luxury goods, packaging, and more, these women have amassed their fortunes through successful family businesses. Despite their immense wealth, some individuals like Massimiliana Landini Aleotti are quick to point out that Forbes’ estimates may not accurately reflect the true value of their companies. Nevertheless, their inclusion on the list demonstrates their success in a variety of industries.
It is noteworthy that the Italian billionaires on the list come from diverse backgrounds, with some like Miuccia Prada and the Benetton family having already achieved global recognition for their brands. Others, like Susan Carol Holland and Isabella Seragnoli, represent businesses in the healthcare and packaging sectors that may be less known internationally. This diversity highlights the range of industries in which Italian women have excelled and built substantial fortunes.
In a country where gender equality in the workplace is often a topic of discussion, the representation of 19 Italian women on Forbes’ list of billionaires is a sign of progress. These women have broken through traditional barriers to build their own successful businesses or expand those of their families. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to other women aspiring to success in entrepreneurship and demonstrate that gender is not a barrier to achieving wealth and recognition on a global scale. With their continued presence on lists of the world’s richest people, these Italian billionaires are making a lasting impact on the business world and setting an example for future generations of women entrepreneurs.
