The Richest Women in the World: 2024 Edition

### The Richest Women in the World: 2024 Edition

In 2024, the landscape of global wealth continues to be dominated by a small but powerful group of women. These women have amassed fortunes that not only place them at the pinnacle of female wealth but also rank them among the wealthiest individuals in the world, irrespective of gender. Their wealth stems from a variety of industries, including technology, fashion, pharmaceuticals, and inheritance, highlighting the diverse paths to financial success.

#### 1. **Francoise Bettencourt Meyers**

   - **Net Worth:** $96 billion

   - **Source of Wealth:** L’Oréal

   - **Country:** France

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers tops the list as the richest woman in the world. She is the granddaughter of L’Oréal’s founder, Eugene Schueller, and has been involved in the company’s operations for many years. After her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, passed away in 2017, Francoise inherited her fortune and a significant stake in L’Oréal, the world’s largest cosmetics company. Under her guidance, L’Oréal has continued to grow, expanding its global footprint and product lines. Francoise is also an author, having written several books on topics such as Greek mythology and Jewish-Christian relations.

#### 2. **Alice Walton**

   - **Net Worth:** $66 billion

   - **Source of Wealth:** Walmart

   - **Country:** United States

Alice Walton, the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, is the second-richest woman in the world. Unlike her brothers, who have focused on running Walmart, Alice has concentrated on curating one of the most impressive art collections in the world. She founded the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, which houses works from some of the greatest American artists. Although not involved in Walmart’s day-to-day operations, her significant stake in the company has continued to grow in value, contributing to her immense wealth.

#### 3. **Julia Koch**

   - **Net Worth:** $62 billion

   - **Source of Wealth:** Koch Industries

   - **Country:** United States

Julia Koch became one of the richest women in the world following the death of her husband, David Koch, in 2019. David was a co-owner of Koch Industries, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. Julia and her three children inherited a 42% stake in the conglomerate, which has interests ranging from chemicals and energy to ranching and finance. Koch Industries has continued to thrive under the leadership of Charles Koch, David’s brother, and the value of Julia’s stake has surged, securing her position among the world’s wealthiest women.

#### 4. **Miriam Adelson**

   - **Net Worth:** $39 billion

   - **Source of Wealth:** Casinos

   - **Country:** United States

Miriam Adelson is the widow of Sheldon Adelson, the casino magnate who founded the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. After Sheldon’s death in 2021, Miriam inherited his vast fortune and a majority stake in the casino empire. Las Vegas Sands operates some of the most profitable casino resorts in the world, including The Venetian in Las Vegas and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Despite challenges in the casino industry, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has rebounded strongly, and Miriam’s wealth has grown accordingly. She is also a prominent philanthropist, particularly in the fields of medical research and Jewish causes.

#### 5. **Jacqueline Mars**

   - **Net Worth:** $37 billion

   - **Source of Wealth:** Mars, Inc.

   - **Country:** United States

Jacqueline Mars is one of the heirs to the Mars Inc. fortune, the world’s largest candy maker, known for brands like M&M’s, Snickers, and Milky Way. Mars, Inc. also has a significant presence in the pet care industry, with brands like Pedigree and Whiskas. Jacqueline, along with her brother John, inherited the company from their father, Forrest Mars Sr. Although Jacqueline is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the company, she remains a board member and is actively engaged in philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of arts, culture, and education.

#### 6. **MacKenzie Scott**

   - **Net Worth:** $36 billion

   - **Source of Wealth:** Amazon

   - **Country:** United States

MacKenzie Scott gained worldwide attention following her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2019, when she received 25% of his Amazon shares, making her one of the wealthiest women in the world. Since then, MacKenzie has become known for her unprecedented philanthropy, donating billions of dollars to a wide range of causes, including education, racial equality, and public health. Her giving has been characterized by its speed and lack of restrictions, setting a new standard for philanthropic efforts. Despite her significant donations, the value of her Amazon shares has kept her among the richest women in the world.

#### 7. **Susanne Klatten**

   - **Net Worth:** $32 billion

   - **Source of Wealth:** BMW, Pharmaceuticals

   - **Country:** Germany

Susanne Klatten is Germany’s richest woman, thanks to her substantial stakes in BMW and the pharmaceutical company Altana. She inherited her BMW stake from her father, Herbert Quandt, who is credited with saving the company from bankruptcy in the 1960s. Susanne also inherited a controlling stake in Altana, which she transformed into a world-class pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals company. She is actively involved in both companies and has played a key role in their success. Susanne is also known for her philanthropic work, particularly in the fields of education and environmental sustainability.

#### 8. **Yang Huiyan**

   - **Net Worth:** $26 billion

   - **Source of Wealth:** Real Estate

   - **Country:** China

Yang Huiyan is the majority shareholder of Country Garden Holdings, one of China’s largest real estate developers. She inherited her stake from her father, Yang Guoqiang, who founded the company. Country Garden has been a key player in China’s urbanization, developing large-scale residential projects across the country. Yang has been actively involved in the company’s operations and has overseen its expansion into new markets, including robotics and smart cities. Despite challenges in China’s real estate market, Yang remains one of the wealthiest women in the world.

#### 9. **Iris Fontbona**

   - **Net Worth:** $25 billion

   - **Source of Wealth:** Mining

   - **Country:** Chile

Iris Fontbona and her family control Antofagasta PLC, one of the world’s largest copper mining companies. She inherited her wealth from her late husband, Andrónico Luksic, who built a mining and beverages empire in Chile. Antofagasta’s success is closely tied to the global demand for copper, which is used in everything from electronics to construction. In addition to mining, the Luksic family has interests in banking, breweries, and shipping. Iris Fontbona is a prominent philanthropist in Chile, supporting various educational and healthcare initiatives.

#### 10. **Abigail Johnson**

   - **Net Worth:** $22 billion

   - **Source of Wealth:** Fidelity Investments

   - **Country:** United States

Abigail Johnson is the CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the largest asset management firms in the world. She is the third generation of her family to lead the company, which was founded by her grandfather, Edward C. Johnson II. Under her leadership, Fidelity has continued to grow, expanding its offerings in financial services, including retirement planning, mutual funds, and brokerage services. Abigail’s wealth is derived from her substantial ownership stake in the privately-held company. She is also known for her advocacy of financial literacy and her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the financial industry.

### Conclusion

The wealth of these women highlights the significant role of inheritance, business acumen, and industry leadership in building and maintaining vast fortunes. While many of these women inherited their wealth, they have also played critical roles in managing and growing their family businesses, contributing to their lasting success. Additionally, many of these women are using their wealth to drive philanthropic efforts, focusing on causes ranging from education and healthcare to environmental sustainability and social justice. As the world continues to evolve, these women are not only shaping the future of their respective industries but also leaving a lasting impact on society through their generosity and leadership.