Meet 10 of the world's richest women, worth a combined $500 billion

19.05.2024 12:37

Alice Walton and Fidelity CEO Abigail Johnson are both high on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index, but Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is richer than both.

The top 10 women on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index are worth just over $500 billion combined.
Walmart heiress Alice Walton and Fidelity CEO Abigail Johnson are both on the list.
Take a closer look at some of the world's richest women.

L'Oréal's biggest shareholder, a Walmart heir, and the CEO of Fidelity are among the 10 richest women in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

They've each amassed fortunes of more than $25 billion — and are worth a staggering $500 billion combined.

Check out this list of the 10 wealthiest women on the planet.

1. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers — $100 billion

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
Jean-Pierre Muller/AFP via Getty Images

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, with a net worth of $100 billion, is the highest-placed woman on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index in 15th spot.

Her grandfather, Eugène Schueller, founded the French cosmetics giant L'Oréal and she inherited a one-third stake from her mother.

Bettencourt Meyers, 70, is known for her intellectual pursuits — even writing books on Greek mythology and Bible commentaries — and her philanthropy. The Bettencourt Schueller Foundation supports scientific research, arts, and humanitarian projects.

2. Alice Walton — $83 billion

Rob, Alice and Jim Walton.
Rick T. Wilking/Getty Images

Alice Walton, 74, inherited her wealth from her father, who founded Walmart.

Unlike her brothers Jim and Rob, who are more directly involved in Walmart's operations, Alice has focused on the arts and charitable activities, including promoting education and conservation.

Her wealth has increased by just over $13 billion this year as Walmart's share price has risen by more than a fifth. Alice is in 19th place on the Bloomberg list, just behind her brothers.

3. Julia Flesher Koch — $73 billion

Julia Koch and David Koch attend the opening night celebration of the New York City Ballet at David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, on November 25, 2008, in New York City. — Julia Koch and David Koch.
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Julia Flesher Koch's husband David was a cofounder of Koch Industries, and she became a billionaire when he died in 2019.

The 62-year-old contributes to causes including education, medical research, and the arts. and serves on the board of several charities.

4. Jacqueline Badger Mars — $47 billion

Jacqueline Mars — Aurora Rose/Getty Images

Jacqueline Badger Mars' grandfather founded the candy, pet care, and food conglomerate that bears the family's name. Press-shy and limelight-avoidant, the Mars family remains somewhat mysterious.

The 84-year-old has been on the Mars board of directors, and has also sat on the boards of the National Archives and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Mars and her ex-husband David Badger have three children. Their son Stephen has been on the Mars board since 2010.

5. MacKenzie Scott — $38 billion

MacKenzie Scott head shot — MacKenzie Scott.
Evan Agostini/Associated Press

MacKenzie Scott is the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. When the couple divorced in 2019, she received a settlement worth $38 billion.

Scott has since donated billions of dollars to a wide range of causes, including racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, public health, and education, and has "revolutionized philanthropy," says the CEO of one charity that received a donation from Scott.

She's also written two novels.

6. Abigail Johnson — $37 billion

Abigail Johnson, 62, is the CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest financial firms that was founded by her grandfather. She has a one-third stake in its parent company, FMR, and succeeded her father as CEO in 2014.

Johnson, who holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, is also known for pushing for women's opportunities in the financial world.

7. Miriam Adelson — $34 billion

Dr. Miriam Adelson and Sheldon Adelson attend Friends of The Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Western Region Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. — Miriam Adelson.
Shahar Azran/Getty Images

Miriam Adelson, 78, is the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, and inherited a significant portion of his fortune when he died in 2021.

She cofounded a clinic that specializes in treating substance abuse and has been a prominent supporter of medical research and Jewish causes.

Adelson is also known for her political donations, particularly to conservative and pro-Israel groups, and was awarded the presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump in 2018.

8. Iris Fontbona — $34 billion

Iris Fontbona, 81, was married to Andrónico Luksic, one of Chile's wealthiest people.

Following his death in 2005, Fontbona inherited his stake in the copper-mining giant Antofagasta, as well as positions in his banks and beverage companies.

9. Savitri Jindal — $31 billion

Savitri Jindal's family owns the Jindal Group, one of India's largest conglomerates, with steel, mining, power, and infrastructure businesses.

The 74-year-old is the widow of the group's founder O.P. Jindal and inherited a significant share of his wealth when he died in 2005, putting her in 55th spot on the Bloomberg list.

Jindal is also actively involved in politics, having served as a member of the Haryana state's Legislative Assembly.

10. Susanne Klatten — $29 billion

Susanne Klatten, one of Germany's richest people, has about 20% of BMW after interiting stakes in the car maker from both her father and mother.

She also inherited her father's stake in the pharmaceuticals and chemicals manufacturer Altana.

Klatten, 62, holds various leadership positions in her family's business empire and also donates money through her philanthropic foundation, the SKala Initiative.

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