We often talk about wealth as if it’s solely for men, but this article introduces ten women with immense fortunes.
They are a rarity in a world where women make up only 13% of billionaires in 2025. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about inheritance, reinvention, and quiet power.
These women aren’t just standing tall; they’re building dynasties, controlling companies, and shaping industries.
This isn’t a list of ordinary millionaires; it’s the story of women whose fortunes are larger than the budgets of some countries. Some inherited, some grew their wealth, and some fought their way through boardrooms.
Some have even given a significant portion to charity, yet all are counted among the world’s richest women.
Alice Walton, $101-$115 billion
Alice Walton’s name resonates throughout America’s financial corridors as a member of the world’s wealthiest family, the Waltons. She is the daughter of Sam Walton, the legendary founder of Walmart.
While her brothers took on more direct control of the retail giant, Alice chose a different path, focusing on art and philanthropy.
Make no mistake, her wealth is massive. She sits comfortably among the richest people in the world because Walmart is more than just a store; it’s a giant that blankets American towns, villages, and cities. Millions shop there every day, and Walmart generates money every second from groceries to clothing to medicine.
Alice dedicates her energy to collecting art and founded the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas. While many billionaires chase tech, she chose culture, which makes her unique. She is a quiet giant, not seeking attention but holding billions that influence the global economy.
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, $80-$96 billion
As the richest woman in France and one of the wealthiest in the world, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers carries a name forever linked to L’Oréal, the cosmetics empire that covers the entire beauty industry, from skincare and makeup to hair care and fragrances. She inherited her fortune from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, who was once the richest woman on Earth.
Françoise isn’t just an heiress; she’s also a deep thinker, a writer who has even published works on Greek mythology and religion. Imagine a woman so rich yet still taking the time to write about philosophy. However, her power lies in her fortune.
L’Oréal’s global dominance means that every lipstick, foundation, and cream sold in countless countries adds to her wealth. She lives a more private life than some billionaires, but her influence extends across every face that wears makeup.
Julia Koch, $74-$78 billion
Julia Koch’s name entered the billionaire circle through marriage, but she remains there through power and fortune. She was married to David Koch, one of the famous Koch brothers who controlled Koch Industries.
After David Koch passed away in 2019, Julia inherited a fortune that instantly made her one of the wealthiest women alive.
Koch Industries is a massive company that touches on oil, chemicals, energy, and consumer products. It’s like a hidden empire that quietly drives much of the American economy.
Julia was once a New York socialite, but her influence now stretches far beyond parties and philanthropy.
Today, she and her children control a huge stake in Koch Industries, keeping the empire alive. Her wealth isn’t flashy like that of some celebrities; it’s deep and industrial, the kind of money that moves silently but powerfully, like oil flowing underground.
Jacqueline Mars, $38-$48 billion
When you eat Snickers, a Mars bar, M&M’s, or even feed your pet Pedigree, you contribute to Jacqueline Mars’s wealth. She is the granddaughter of Frank C. Mars, the founder of Mars Inc., one of the largest candy and food companies in the world.
Jacqueline’s wealth is, quite literally, sweet, as the company sells to billions of people across continents every year. Her family’s company is privately owned, so they don’t have to share their profits with the stock market. This is what makes her fortune more controlled and powerful.
She keeps a low profile, preferring a quiet life, philanthropy, and horse breeding. However, her billions speak louder than any words. Every candy bar, every chocolate bite, and every pet meal sold somewhere in the world is tied to her wealth.
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, $33-$38 billion
This is one of the most fascinating billionaires on the list. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, along with her husband Gianluigi Aponte, co-founded the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which is the world’s largest shipping line by container capacity. Imagine the scale of that power.
Every day, thousands of giant container ships carrying goods, from clothing to electronics to cars, cross the oceans under the MSC banner.
Rafaela and her family are at the center of this empire. Her fortune is ocean-deep, built on the logistics and trade that fuel the modern world. Without shipping, globalization itself would collapse.
Rafaela is not as public as some billionaires, but her money rides the waves of every ocean.
Abigail Johnson, $32-$36 billion
Abigail Johnson is the CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the largest investment firms in the world. She inherited the company from her father but has taken it forward with her own leadership.
Fidelity manages trillions of dollars for millions of clients around the world. This kind of financial control puts Abigail in a position where she doesn’t just hold wealth; she controls wealth for others. She is known for her quiet but firm leadership style that is not flashy or loud but decisive.
The financial industry is tough and filled with men in sharp suits, yet she sits at the very top with calm authority.
Savitri Jindal, $32-$35 billion
From India comes Savitri Jindal, the chairwoman of the Jindal Group, one of the biggest steel and power conglomerates in Asia.
She inherited her position after her husband, Om Prakash Jindal, passed away, but she has carried the empire forward with dignity and strength.
Her story is also political; she served in the Haryana government and used her position to promote industrial and social development. For her, wealth isn’t just about counting billions but about expanding opportunities for others.
Jindal represents both traditional and modern India, a woman rooted in family values but also running industries that fuel the nation’s growth. Her billions are made of iron and steel, the industries that build skyscrapers and bridges.
MacKenzie Scott, $31-$33 billion
MacKenzie Scott is not only one of the richest women in the world; she is also one of the most generous. She was married to Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and during their divorce, she received a large settlement in Amazon shares that instantly put her on the list of the richest women. However, unlike many others, she decided to give a huge part of her wealth away.
Over the past few years, she has donated tens of billions to charities, schools, non-profits, and social organizations across America. She is reshaping the world of philanthropy by giving quickly and without bureaucracy. Still, her fortune remains large because Amazon continues to be a growing giant.
Her name represents a balance of both immense wealth and giving, which makes her stand out among billionaires.
Miriam Adelson, $27 billion
Miriam Adelson’s wealth comes from casinos, entertainment, and hospitality. She inherited her fortune after her husband, Sheldon Adelson, passed away in 2021. He was the founder of Las Vegas Sands, a global empire of casinos and resorts stretching from Las Vegas to Macau.
Miriam now controls this empire, making her one of the most powerful women in the gambling and entertainment industry. Casinos are more than just cards and dice; they are multi-billion-dollar entertainment hubs where fortunes are won and lost.
Miriam has also been deeply involved in philanthropy and political donations, particularly in the United States and Israel. Her fortune shines under the neon lights of Vegas and the glamour of Macau.
Marilyn Simons, $31 billion
Marilyn Simons’s name may not be as loud as Musk or Zuckerberg, but she is among the richest women due to the Simons Foundation.
She is married to Jim Simons, the mathematician and hedge fund manager who founded Renaissance Technologies.
Together, they have used their wealth for science, education, and charity. Marilyn has been deeply involved in the foundation’s work on research and education.
She is one of those billionaires who keep a low profile, preferring quiet influence over the global spotlight. But her billions are there, and her im
pact is real, even if her name isn’t in the daily headlines.
