LAGOS: Across the world, women are increasingly shaping the destinies of powerful business conglomerates. From inherited empires in retail, cosmetics, and steel, to self-made fortunes in shipping and finance, they have proven that wealth in female hands can drive both economic growth and social change.
Many, like Alice Walton of Walmart and Rafaela Aponte-Diamant of MSC, oversee vast enterprises that span continents, managing operations worth billions while preserving their founders’ legacies.
Balancing such influence often coincides with personal responsibilities in marriage and family. Some, like Françoise Bettencourt Meyers of L’Oréal, run multibillion-dollar corporations alongside their spouses, while others, like Julia Koch or Savitri Jindal, have carried forward the vision of late husbands with resilience and vision.
Yet beyond boardrooms and balance sheets, these women channel their fortunes toward humanity. They fund medical research, champion education, support environmental causes, and empower marginalized communities.
Through philanthropy, they redefine wealth not just as an accumulation of assets, but as a force for public good.
In their stories, wealth is not merely power; it is stewardship. Now, let’s meet the 10 wealthiest women in the world, their empires, and their impact.
1. Alice Walton
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Net Worth: $101 billion
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Business: Walmart heir; art patron; founder of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; investor in healthcare education.
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Biography: Born October 7, 1949, in Newport, Arkansas, U.S. Daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton. Studied economics at Trinity University. Founded Llama Companyin 1988.
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Marriage: Married twice, both ended in divorce; no children.
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Country of Origin: United States
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Present Residence: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
2. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers
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Net Worth: $81.6 billion
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Business: Heiress to L’Oréal; former Vice Chair of L’Oréal; Chairwoman of family holding company Téthys Invest.
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Biography: Born July 10, 1953, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. Only child of Liliane Bettencourt. Author and philanthropist with focus on arts and science.
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Marriage: Married to Jean-Pierre Meyers; two sons.
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Country of Origin: France
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Present Residence: Paris, France.
3. Julia Koch & Family
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Net Worth: $74.2 billion
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Business: Inherited 42% stake in Koch Industries (oil, manufacturing, chemicals, agriculture, real estate).
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Biography: Born April 12, 1962, in Indianola, Iowa, U.S. Former fashion assistant in New York before marrying David Koch. President of the David H. Koch Foundation.
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Marriage: Widow of David Koch; three children.
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Country of Origin: United States
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Present Residence: New York City, New York, U.S.
4. Jacqueline Mars
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Net Worth: $42.6 billion
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Business: Heiress to Mars, Inc (candy brands like M&Ms, Snickers, Wrigley’s; pet care brands like Pedigree).
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Biography: Born October 10, 1939, in U.S. Served on Mars, Inc. board for nearly 20 years; active philanthropist in arts and equestrian causes.
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Marriage: Twice divorced; three children.
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Country of Origin: United States
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Present Residence: The Plains, Virginia, U.S.
5. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant
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Net Worth: $37.7 billion
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Business: Co-founder of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest shipping line.
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Biography: Born 1945 in Switzerland. Met her husband Gianluigi Aponte on a boat trip; launched MSC in 1970. Oversees ship interiors and corporate projects.
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Marriage: Married to Gianluigi Aponte; two children.
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Country of Origin: Switzerland
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Present Residence: Geneva, Switzerland.
6. Savitri Jindal & Family
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Net Worth: $35.5 billion
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Business: Chairperson of Jindal Group (steel, power, cement, infrastructure).
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Biography: Born March 20, 1950, in Tinsukia, Assam, India. Took over the Jindal Group after her husband’s death in 2005. Former minister in Haryana government.
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Marriage: Widow of Om Prakash Jindal; nine children.
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Country of Origin: India
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Present Residence: Hisar, Haryana, India.
7. Abigail Johnson
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Net Worth: $32.7 billion
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Business: Chairman and CEO of Fidelity Investments; owns ~28.5% of the company.
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Biography: Born December 19, 1961, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Joined Fidelity in 1988; CEO since 2014. Holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
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Marriage: Married to Christopher McKown; two children.
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Country of Origin: United States
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Present Residence: Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
8. Miriam Adelson & Family
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Net Worth: $32.1 billion
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Business: Majority owner of Las Vegas Sands (casinos in U.S., Singapore, Macau).
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Biography: Born October 10, 1945, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Physician specializing in addiction treatment. Took over business after husband Sheldon Adelson’s death in 2021.
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Marriage: Widow of Sheldon Adelson; two stepchildren.
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Country of Origin: Israel
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Present Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
9. Marilyn Simons & Family
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Net Worth: $31 billion
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Business: Philanthropist and co-founder of Simons Foundation (science and education).
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Biography: Born 1950 in the U.S. Longtime supporter of research and education; serves on multiple academic and research boards.
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Marriage: Widow of Jim Simons (hedge fund legend); three children.
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Country of Origin: United States
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Present Residence: East Setauket, New York, U.S.
10. Melinda French Gates
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Net Worth: $30.4 billion
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Business: Philanthropist; founder of Pivotal Ventures; former co-chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Biography: Born August 15, 1964, in Dallas, Texas, U.S. Worked as product manager at Microsoft before marrying Bill Gates. Left Gates Foundation in 2024 to focus on independent work.
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Marriage: Divorced from Bill Gates; three children.
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Country of Origin: United States
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Present Residence: Seattle, Washington, U.S.
