A record number of self-made women billionaires have been added to the list of the world’s richest individuals, according to Forbes. The elite group, which accounts for just 3.6% of the total list of billionaires, includes women who have created their fortunes through entrepreneurship, entertainment, co-founding businesses, and executive roles. This year, there are more self-made women billionaires than ever before, with a significant increase compared to a decade ago. The majority of these women come from China and the United States, with 43 Chinese citizens and 30 Americans making the list.
Switzerland’s Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, the co-founder of MSC, the world’s largest shipping line, continues to hold the title of the richest self-made woman for the second consecutive year, with an estimated net worth of $33.1 billion. The United States’ Diane Hendricks, who co-founded ABC Supply with her late husband and chairs the company, follows closely behind with a net worth of $20.9 billion. This year, 15 newcomers have joined the ranks of self-made women billionaires, including pop star Taylor Swift, tech executives Lisa Su and Michelle Zatlyn, and fashion mogul Tory Burch.
The top 10 richest self-made women billionaires in the world include individuals from various industries such as real estate, healthcare software, e-commerce, and online gambling. Wu Yajun, a real estate developer from China, and Zhou Qunfei, who manufactures smartphone screens in Hong Kong, are among the top 10. Judy Faulkner, the founder of Epic Systems, a healthcare software provider in the U.S., and Tatyana Bakalchuk, the majority owner of Russian e-commerce retailer Wildberries, are also on the list. Additionally, Denise Coates, who started Bet365, an online gambling site in the United Kingdom, and Judy Love, who co-founded the gas station chain Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores in the U.S., are among the wealthiest self-made women billionaires.
The list also includes well-known names such as Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, and Rihanna, who have all achieved billionaire status through their various ventures. Overall, the presence of self-made women billionaires highlights the growing influence and success of women in business and entrepreneurship. Despite their small numbers, these women have demonstrated their ability to create wealth and thrive in traditionally male-dominated industries, paving the way for future generations of female entrepreneurs to follow in their footsteps.
