A list of the top 10 richest women in the world in 2024: In a world where wealth and power have long been dominated by men, a growing number of women are breaking through the glass ceiling and making their mark as billionaires. In the year 2024, we have witnessed a remarkable surge in wealth creation, with the net worth of the world’s wealthiest individuals sharply increasing.
Women, in particular, are occupying a small but growing slice of Forbes’ World Billionaires list. This year, in 2024, the latest data from Forbes reveals a notable rise in the number of women billionaires compared to the previous year.
Notably, as Forbes recently noted, out of the 2,781 billionaires worldwide, women are marking a significant increase from 2023, as they represent 13.3% of the total billionaire population in 2024, up from 12.8% in the preceding year.
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At the forefront of this remarkable achievement stands Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the L’Oréal heiress who has held the title of the world’s richest woman for four consecutive years. As Forbes tracks the wealth of billionaires worldwide, explore the list of the top 10 richest women in the world, as of April-May 2024.
Also Read | The top 10 richest people in the world in 2024
Top 10 richest women in the world in 2024:
The Forbes list of the wealthiest individuals globally once again highlights the remarkable success stories of women entrepreneurs and heiresses. As of 2024, the top 10 richest women in the world have amassed a combined net worth of over $1.8 trillion, about $240 billion more than last year, thereby showcasing their significant contributions to the global economy.
Here are the top 10 women billionaires on the list as of April-May 2024:
| Rank (amongst women) | World Rank | Name | Net Worth (billion) | Source of Wealth |
| 1 | 16 | Francoise Bettencourt Meyers | $98.2 B | L’Oréal |
| 2 | 21 | Alice Walton | $77.2 B | Walmart |
| 3 | 24 | Julia Koch | $66.3 B | Koch Industries |
| 4 | 34 | Jacqueline Mars | $39.4 B | Mars Inc. |
| 5 | 39 | Savitri Jindal | $38.0 B | JSW Group |
| 6 | 45 | Rafaela Aponte-Diamant | $35.5 B | Mediterranean Shipping Company |
| 7 | 48 | MacKenzie Scott | $33.7 B | Amazon |
| 8 | 52 | Gina Rinehart | $30.8 B | Hanco*ck Prospecting |
| 9 | 55 | Abigail Johnson | $29.7 B | Fidelity Investments |
| 10 | 56 | Miriam Adelson & family | $29.7 B | Las Vegas Sands |
*Please note that the rank and net worth figures provided are subject to routine fluctuations due to changes in stock prices and other market conditions. The net worth details are based on the latest Forbes World’s real-time billionaire data, recorded on May 27th, 2024.*
1. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers:
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers (Source: AFP)
Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year is Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the granddaughter of the L’Oréal founder. With a net worth of $98.2 billion, Bettencourt Meyers’ wealth is primarily tied to her nearly 35% stake in the cosmetics giant L’Oréal Group, known for brands like Maybelline and Lancôme. Under her leadership, L’Oréal has continued to thrive, boasting billions of revenue and a diverse portfolio of beauty brands. Bettencourt Meyers first appeared on the Forbes billionaires list in 2018 with a net worth of $42.2 billion, and her fortune has more than doubled since then.
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2. Alice Walton:
Alice L. Walton (Source: Alice Walton Foundation
In second place is Alice Walton, the richest woman in America. With a net worth of $77.2 billion, Walton’s wealth surged due to a 34% increase in Walmart’s share price over the past year. Known for her philanthropy and art collection, she founded the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, which features works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, and Mark Rothko.
3. Julia Koch:
Julia Koch (Source: Wikipedia Commons)
Julia Koch, widow of David Koch, holds the third spot with a net worth of $66.3 billion. Inheriting a 42% stake in Koch Industries, she oversees a diverse conglomerate with interests in oil refining, medical technology, and paper products. Koch Industries is one of the largest private companies in the world, with revenues exceeding $100 billion. In addition to her business responsibilities, Julia Koch is a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
4. Jacqueline Mars:
Jacqueline Mars (Source: Facebook)
Jacqueline Mars, the Mars Inc. heiress, ranks fourth with a net worth of $39.4 billion. Alongside her family, she owns the iconic candy and pet food company, known for brands like M&Ms, Snickers, and Pedigree. Mars Inc. is one of the largest privately held companies in the world, with revenues exceeding $35 billion. The company was founded by her grandfather, Frank C. Mars, who began selling buttercream candy from his kitchen in 1911.
5. Savitri Jindal:
Savitri Jindal (Source: Jindal Stainless)
Also Read | Top 10 Richest Indians in 2024
Savitri Jindal, the richest woman in India, holds the sixth spot with a net worth of $38.0 billion. Leading the Jindal Group, she oversees businesses in steel, power, cement, and infrastructure. The Jindal Group is one of the largest business conglomerates in India, with revenues exceeding $15 billion. Following the death of her husband, Om Prakash Jindal, in a helicopter crash in 2005, the group’s companies were divided among their four sons, who now run them independently.
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6. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant:
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant (Source: Forbes ME)
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, with a net worth of $33.7 billion, co-founded MSC, the world’s largest shipping line, with her husband, Gianluigi Aponte. Their company started in 1970, has grown to dominate the global shipping industry, with a fleet of over 500 vessels and operations in over 155 countries. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant is responsible for decorating the ships for MSC Cruises, the company’s cruise line. The Aponte family entered the shipping industry using a $200,000 loan to buy their first ship.
7. MacKenzie Scott:
MacKenzie Scott (Source: X)
MacKenzie Scott, with a net worth of $35.5 billion, is a prominent philanthropist and ex-wife of Jeff Bezos. Following her divorce, she received a 4% stake in Amazon and has since donated billions to various causes, including education, science, and the arts. Her philanthropic efforts have made her one of the most generous donors in the world, with her lifetime giving totalling $17.3 billion as of March 2024.
8. Gina Rinehart:
Gina Rinehart (Source: Hanco*ck Agriculture)
Gina Rinehart, with a net worth of $30.8 billion, chairs Hanco*ck Prospecting Group, a prominent mining and agriculture company in Australia. Her fortune has seen a 14% increase since 2023, driven by the growth of the mining industry and her company’s expansion into new markets. Hanco*ck Prospecting Group is involved in the exploration and production of iron ore, coal, and other minerals, as well as cattle farming and agricultural projects.
9. Abigail Johnson:
Abigail Johnson (Source: American Banker)
Abigail Johnson, with a net worth of $29.7 billion, leads Fidelity Investments, a major mutual fund company. Rebounding to the top 10 richest women, she owns a significant stake in the firm and has been instrumental in its success, overseeing $4.9 trillion in managed assets. Johnson took over as CEO of Fidelity Investments in 2014, succeeding her father, Edward “Ned” Johnson III, who passed away in 2022. The company was founded by her grandfather in 1946.
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10. Miriam Adelson:
Miriam Adelson (Source: Wikipedia Commons)
Miriam Adelson, with a net worth of $29.7 billion, inherited a significant stake in Las Vegas Sands after her husband Sheldon Adelson’s passing. A prominent physician, she has donated over $1 billion to medical research and drug discovery, making her one of the most generous philanthropists in the world. Adelson and her family own more than half of Las Vegas Sands, one of the world’s largest casino operators, with properties in Las Vegas, Macau, and Singapore.
