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The 30 Richest Women in the World
Who are the richest women in the world?
Most of the focus is normally on men, but what about the wealthiest women?
Can you even hazard a guess as to who you think’s going to appear on this list? You can probably think of the richest men, such as Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos, but no women…
Am I right?
Let’s find out in this article, where we list the top 30 richest women in the world As of 2021. Many of these women are heiress’ to their parents fortunes, and have taken over their father’s companies. Others have built businesses themselves from the ground up.
Let’s take a look…
The 30 Richest Women in the World
All stats featured within this article in regards to net worth have come from Forbes directly.
These are the top 30 richest women in the world:
30. Zhao Yan
Net Worth: $7.7 Billion
Zhao Yan is the chairperson for Hong Kong-listed Bloomage BioTechnology. The company produces hyaluronic acid, which is an ingredient used in anti-aging skin creams.
As of 2021, Zhao Yan’s net worth is estimated to be $7.7 billion.
29. Christy Walton
Net Worth: $7.8 Billion
Christy Ruth Walton is an heir to the Walmart fortune. Christy is the widow of John T. Walton, one of the sons of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart.
In June 2005, her husband died in a plane crash, making her the main heir to his fortune; which at the time was worth around $18 billion.
As of 2021, Christy Walton’s net worth is estimated to be $7.8 billion.
28. Diane Hendricks
Net Worth: $8 Billion
Diane Marie Hendricks is an American billionaire businesswoman, owner of Hendricks Holding Company, and film producer. She is the widow of the late businessman Ken Hendricks.
Hendricks is also the chairperson of ABC supply, one of the largest wholesale distributors of windows and roofing in the United States.
As of 2021, Diane Hendricks’ net worth is estimated to be $8 billion.
27. Blair Parry-Okeden
Net Worth: $8.2 Billion
Blair Parry-Okeden is an Australian billionaire heiress and one of the richest people in Australia.
As of 2021, Blair Parry-Okeden’s net worth is estimated to be $8.2 billion.
26. Nancy Walton Laurie
Net Worth: $8.2 Billion
Nancy Walton Laurie is an heir to the Walmart fortune. Nancy’s father was Bud Walton, brother of Sam Walton, who passed away in 1995. Laurie and her sister, Ann Walton Kroenke, inherited stock from her father when he died.
As of 2021, Nancy Walton Laurie’s net worth is estimated to be $8.2 billion.
25. Zeng Fangquin
Net Worth: $8.3 Billion
Zeng Fangquin is the chairperson of Lingyi Technology, a part supplier for smartphones; including Apple and Huawei products. Lingyi Technology was listed on the Shenzhen stock exchange in 2018, valued at $3.2 billion.
As of 2021, Zeng Fangquin’s net worth is estimated to be $8.3 billion.
24. Cheng Xue
Net Worth: $8.7 Billion
Cheng Xue is the vice chairman of Chinese soy sauce maker Foshan Haitian Flavoring. Xue currently owns a 9% stake in the company.
As of 2021, Cheng Xue’s net worth is estimated to be $8.7 billion.
23. Ann Walton Kroenke
Net Worth: $9.1 Billion
Ann Walton Kroenke is an heir to the Walmart fortune. Ann’s father was Bud Walton, brother of Sam Walton, who passed away in 1995. Kroenke and her sister, Nancy Walton Laurie, inherited stock from her father when he died.
As of 2021, Ann Walton Kroenke’s net worth is estimated to be $9.1 billion.
22. Denise Coates
Net Worth: $9.6 Billion
Denise Coates is an English entrepreneur, and the co-CEO of Bet365. In 2001, she bought the domain name Bet365.com, and now the company takes over $65 million in bets every single year.
Coates still owns roughly half of the company, and is one of the highest-paid CEO’s in the United Kingdom.
As of 2021, Denise Coates’ net worth is estimated to be $9.6 billion.
21. Massimiliana Landini Alleotti
Net Worth: $10.4 Billion
Massimiliana Landini Aleotti is an Italian billionaire heiress, and the owner of the pharmaceutical company Menarini.
As of 2021, Massimiliana Landini Aleotti’s net worth is estimated to be $10.4 billion.
20. Kwong Siu-hing
Net Worth: $12.2 Billion
Kwong Siu-hing is the widow of Kwok Tak-seng, who co-founded Sun Hung Kai Properties. She had three sons: Walter, Raymond, and Thomas. Thomas was sentenced to prison in 2014 for bribery, thus Raymond became the chairman.
Walter was ousted from the company in 2008 due to a feud between the brothers, and passed away in 2018. Siu-hing had roles as the chairperson in the past, and she remains the biggest stockholder.
As of 2021, Kwong Siu-hing’s net worth is estimated to be $12.2 billion.
Wang Laichun
Net Worth: $12.7 Billion
Wang Laichun is a Chinese chairperson Luxshare Precision Industry, a producer of electronics connectors and large supplier for Apple. Laichun had been working in the industry for more than 10 years, but in 1999 decided to leave and in 2004 partner up with her brother to buy Luxshare.
As of 2021, Wang Laichun’s net worth is estimated to be $12.7 billion.
18. Kirsten Rausing
Net Worth: $13.2 Billion
Kirsten Rausing owns 33% of the Tetra Laval holding company and has a seat on the board alongside other members of her family.
As of 2021, Kirsten Rausing’s net worth is estimated to be $13.2 billion.
17. Abigail Johnson
Net Worth: $15 Billion
Abigail Johnson is an American businesswoman. Johnson is the CEO of US investment firm Fidelity Investments. She is also the chairwoman of Fidelity International. Fidelity was founded by her grandfather Edward C. Johnson II, and the Johnson company currently own a 49% stake in the company.
As of 2021, Abigail Johnson’s net worth is estimated to be $15 billion.
“Lots of people will give you advice… and depending upon how well they know you, the advice might be valid or not so valid.” – Abigail Johnson
16. Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken
Net Worth: $15.4 Billion
Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken is a Dutch-English businesswoman. She owns a 25% controlling interest in, you’ve probably already guessed it, the brewing company Heineken International.
Heineken International is the 3rd largest brewing company in the world. Charlene is an executive director at Heineken, and when her father passed away in 2002, she inherited £3 billion, moving her up the list of the richest women in the world.
As of 2021, Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken’s net worth is estimated to be $15.4 billion.
15. Iris Fontbona & Family
Net Worth: $15.5 Billion
Iris Balbina Fontbona González is a Chilean billionaire businesswoman. She is the widow of Andrónico Luksic Abaroa, and became a billionaire from inheriting Antofagasta PLC.
As of 2021, Iris Fontbona’s net worth is estimated to be $15.5 billion.
14. Zhou Qunfei & Family
Net Worth: $16.1 Billion
Zhou Qunfei is a Chinese entrepreneur, and founder of the major touchscreen maker Lens Technology. After the public listing of her company on the Shenzhen ChiNext market in March 2015, her net worth skyrocketed, making her the one of the richest women in China.
As of 2021, Zhou Qunfei’s net worth is estimated to be $16.1 billion.
13. Gina Rinehart
Net Worth: $16.3 Billion
Gina Rinehart is originally from Perth in Western Australia, and is the chairman of Hancock Prospecting. She inherited the majority stake in the company when her father passed away.
As of 2021, Gina Rinehart’s net worth is estimated to be $16.3 billion.
“There is no monopoly on becoming a millionaire. If you’re jealous of those with more money, don’t just sit there and complain – do something to make more money yourself.” – Gina Rinehart
12. Lu Zhongfang
Net Worth: $16.4 Billion
Lu Zhongfang invested in Offcn, a test preparation company, in 1999, after retiring from working in a pesticides factory in 1993. Lu’s son, Liu Yongxin, is the chairman for Offcn. In 2019, Offcn Education Technology was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
As of 2021, Lu Zhongfang’s net worth is estimated to be $16.4 billion.
11. Fan Hongwei & Family
Net Worth: $16.8 Billion
Fan Hongwei is a Chinese chairperson for Hengli Petrochemical, a chemical fiber supplier. Hongwei’s husband, Chen Jianhua, is the chairman of Hengli’s holding company.
As of 2021, Fan Hongwei’s net worth is estimated to be $16.8 billion.
10. Wu Yajun
Net Worth: $17.9 Billion
Wu Yajun is the co-founder and chairperson of Longfor Properties, a real estate developer based in Hong Kong. She co-founded the company in 1993 with her now ex-husband, Cai Kui. They divorced in 2012, and he no longer has an active role in the company.
As of 2021, Wu Yajun’s net worth is estimated to be $17.9 billion.
9. Zhong Huijuan
Net Worth: $18.9 Billion
Zhong HuiJuan is a Chinese chairperson for Hansoh Pharmaceutical, a Chinese drug manufacturer specialising in oncology, psychoactive, anti-diabetic and other drugs.
Huijuan lives in Shanghai with her husband who is also a pharmaceutical billionaire. She shares ownership of over 75% in the company with her daughter Sun Yuan.
As of 2021, Zhong Huijuan’s net worth is estimated to be $18.9 billion.
8. Laurene Powell Jobs
Net Worth: $19.9 Billion
Laurene Powell Jobs is an American businesswoman, executive and the founder of Emerson Collective, which advocates for policies concerning education and immigration reform, social justice and environmental conservation.
As of 2021, Laurene Powell Jobs’ net worth is estimated to be $19.9 billion.
“My relationship with money is that it’s a tool to be self-sufficient, but it’s not something that is a part of who I am.” – Laurene Powell Jobs
7. Susanne Klatten
Net Worth: $24.2 Billion
When we looked at the stats on Forbes, Johanna Quandt was still listed as one of the richest women in the world. However, Johanna passed away in 2015, and her daughter Susanne inherited the fortune, along with her father’s inheritance.
Klatten owns stakes in BMW, SGL and Altana among other companies.
As of 2021, Suzanne Klatten’s net worth is estimated to be $24.2 billion.
6. Jacqueline Mars
Net Worth: $28.9 Billion
Jacqueline Mars is an American investor and heiress to the Mars Incorporated fortune. Her parents were the founders of the company, and the fortune was shared between herself and her two brothers, John & Forrest Jr.
As of 2021, Jacqueline Mars’ net worth is estimated to be $28.9 billion.
“Even when early innovations start to succeed, it is not uncommon to see growing businesses sabotaged for threatening the status quo.” – Jacqueline Mars
5. Yang Huiyan & Family
Net Worth: $30.6 Billion
Yang Huiyan is the majority shareholder of Country Garden Holdings and the 24th wealthiest person in mainland China. She is currently the youngest female billionaire as well as the richest woman in Asia.
She is the daughter of Yang Guoqiang, who started his company Biguiyuan in 1997 and transferred 70% of Country Garden’s shares to her before its IPO in 2007.
As of 2021, Yang Huiyan’s net worth is estimated to be $30.6 billion.
4. Julia Koch & Family
Net Worth: $44.9 Billion
Julia Koch is the widow of David Koch, who passed away in 2019. David owned a 42% stake in Koch Industries, with his brother Charles also owning 42%. After his death, Julia and her three children inherited David’s 42% stake in the conglomerate.
As of 2021, Julia Koch’s net worth is estimated to be $44.9 Billion
3. MacKenzie Scott
Net Worth: $62.7 Billion
MacKenzie Scott, formerly MacKenzie Bezos, is an American novelist and philanthropist. She was the wife of Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. After their divorce, MacKenzie received a 4% stake in Amazon, which was worth about $35 billion at the time.
As of 2021, MacKenzie Scott’s net worth is estimated to be $62.7 Billion.
2. Alice Walton
Net Worth: $68.1 Billion
Alice Walton is the daughter of Sam Walton, the founder of one of the most successful retail chains in the world, Walmart. Alice is the heiress to the Walmart fortune. She also founded the Llama Company in 1988, but it has since closed down.
As of 2021, Alice Walton’s net worth is estimated to be $68.1 billion.
“One of the great responsibilities that I have is to manage my assets wisely, so that they create value.” – Alice Walton
1. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & Family
Net Worth: $69.6 Billion
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers became the reigning L’Oreal heiress when her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, passed away in 2017. She now runs the holding company as chairwoman, with her family owning 33% of L’Oreal.
As of 2021, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers’ net worth is estimated to be $69.6 billion.
Summary
Here’s a quick recap on the top 30 richest women in the world:
- Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & Family
- Alice Walton
- MacKenzie Scott
- Julia Koch & Family
- Yang Huiyan & Family
- Jacqueline Mars
- Suzanne Klatten
- Laurene Powell Jobs & Family
- Zhong Huijuan
- Wu Yajun & Family
- Fan Hongwei & Family
- Lou Zhongfang
- Gina Rinehart
- Zhou Qunfei & Family
- Iris Fontbona & Family
- Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken & Family
- Abigail Johnson
- Kirsten Rausing
- Wang Laichun
- Kwong Siu-hing
- Massimiliana
- Denise Coates
- Ann Walton Kroenke
- Zeng Fangquin
- Cheng Xue
- Nancy Walton Laurie
- Blaire Parry-Okeden
- Diane Hendricks
- Christy Walton
- Zhao Yan
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