When people hear the word “billionaire,” they often picture men first. Yet the number of female billionaires has been growing—there were 241 in 2020 and 328 in 2021. Many of these women inherited at least part of their wealth, but the list also includes several self-made entrepreneurs and executives who built fortunes through business, investing and leadership.
* Note: These figures are accurate as of Jan. 31, 2023.
32. Denise Coates
Born: United Kingdom, Sept. 26, 1967
Denise Coates is one of the UK’s wealthiest women and the highest-paid female CEO globally. She founded Bet365, the online betting company, and remains co-CEO while owning roughly half the business. Through the Denise Coates Foundation she supports causes in health, education and humanitarian relief.
31. Cheng Xue
Born: China, 1970
Cheng Xue is vice chair and a major shareholder of Foshan Haitian Flavouring, a leading soy sauce manufacturer. She was recognized in Hurun’s 2021 ranking of top-paid corporate managers in China.
30. Zhao Yan
Born: China, 1966
Zhao Yan founded Bloomage International Investment Group and chairs Bloomage Biotechnology, a skincare company. Her interests also span real estate, finance and sports; she was named China Economic Person of the Year in 2021.
28. Zhou Qunfei and Family (Tie)
Born: China, 1970
Zhou Qunfei founded Lens Technology, a major supplier of smartphone screens. Her rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of the world’s most successful self-made women earned her recognition as the richest self-made woman in 2018 and previously the richest woman in China.
28. Massimiliana Landini Aleotti and Family (Tie)
Born: Italy, Aug. 7, 1942
Massimiliana Landini Aleotti and her three children inherited Menarini, the pharmaceutical company founded by her late husband. During the COVID-19 pandemic she repurposed part of a Florence factory to produce disinfectant gel for hospitals.
27. Jian Jun
Born: China, 1963
Jian Jun chairs biomedical supplier IMeik Technology Development. After its public listing, the company’s shares surged dramatically, reflecting strong investor interest in the firm’s products and strategy.
26. Nancy Walton Laurie
Anatolii Kovalov / Getty Images
Born: United States, May 15, 1951
Nancy Walton Laurie inherited wealth from the Walton family and has invested in a horse breeding farm and the Columbia Performing Arts Centre in Missouri. She and her husband have made significant philanthropic gifts, including $25 million to the University of Missouri for a new sports arena and an endowed professorship at the College of Veterinary Medicine. She also established the Nancy Walton Laurie Leadership Institute.
25. Wang Laichun
Born: China, 1967
Wang Laichun co-owns and chairs Luxshare Precision Industry, an electronics connector manufacturer that produces components for major tech companies, including AirPods for Apple. She co-founded the company after a decade at Foxconn.
24. Blair Parry-Okeden
Born: United States, 1950
American-born Blair Parry-Okeden is an heir to Cox Enterprises and inherited a substantial stake from her mother. Now an Australian resident, she was once named Australia’s richest person.
28. Ann Walton Kroenke (Tie)
Born: United States, Dec. 18, 1948
Ann Walton Kroenke, sister of Nancy Walton Laurie, is another Walmart heiress. She has invested in professional sports and owns the Denver Nuggets (NBA) and the Colorado Avalanche (NHL).
22. Zhong Huijuan (Tie)
Born: China, April 1961
Zhong Huijuan co-founded Hansoh Pharmaceutical and holds about two-thirds of the company. Hansoh has been involved in partnerships focused on drug discovery, including efforts to develop oral COVID-19 treatments.
21. Zheng Xhuliang and Family
Born: China, 1946
Zheng Shuliang is the widow of Zhang Shiping, founder of China Hongqiao Group. She serves as executive vice chairman of the aluminum manufacturer and plays a prominent role in the family-run business.
20. Kirsten Rausing
Born: Sweden, June 6, 1952
Kirsten Rausing owns a substantial stake in Tetra Laval and holds board positions. She also invests in International Flavors & Fragrances. Passionate about equestrian activities, she operates a stud farm in the U.K. and serves on industry bodies such as the Jockey Club.
19. Christy Walton
Born: United States, Feb. 8, 1949
Christy Walton inherited part of her late husband John T. Walton’s estate, which included shares in Walmart and other investments. For a time she was ranked the richest woman in the world and is known for major philanthropic donations, including billions given to charity between 2002 and 2005.
18. Yang Huiyan and Family
Born: China, 1981
Yang Huiyan inherited a majority stake in Country Garden Holdings from her father and serves as co-chair. She was once recognized as Asia’s richest woman and also chairs Bright Scholar Education Holdings.
17. Wu Yajun
Born: China, 1964
Wu Yajun co-founded Longfor Properties and remains its chair. After her divorce she kept a large stake in the company and has made notable investments, including early stakes in companies such as Uber and Evernote. She is often cited among the world’s wealthiest self-made women.
16. Laurene Powell Jobs and Family
Born: United States, Nov. 6, 1963
Laurene Powell Jobs inherited holdings via the Steven P. Jobs Trust and received significant shares in Apple and The Walt Disney Company after Steve Jobs’s death. She founded Emerson Collective and XQ Institute, supporting education, immigration reform and social entrepreneurship, and she co-founded College Track to help underserved students reach college.
15. Diane Hendricks
Born: United States, 1947
Diane Hendricks co-founded ABC Supply, a major distributor of roofing, siding and windows, and has led the company since her husband’s death. She expanded the business through strategic acquisitions and has supported local redevelopment and economic growth in Wisconsin.
14. Charlene de Carvalho-Heiniken
Born: Netherlands, June 30, 1954
Charlene de Carvalho-Heiniken inherited a 25 percent controlling interest in Heineken and serves as an executive director of the company. The Heineken Prize for cognitive science is named in recognition of the family’s legacy.
13. Kwong Siu-hing
Born: China, Dec. 2, 1929
As the matriarch of the Kwok family, Kwong Siu-hing is the largest shareholder of Sun Hung Kai Properties, one of Hong Kong’s largest developers. Her position reflects the family’s long-standing influence in the region’s real estate market.
12. Renáta Kellnerová and Family
Born: Czech Republic, July 4, 1967
Renáta Kellnerová and her children control PPF Group, a Czech investment conglomerate with interests in finance, telecoms, media and real estate. She is also noted for philanthropic work in education through the Educa Foundation and other family initiatives.
11. Savitri Jindal and Family
Born: India, March 20, 1950
Savitri Jindal is the chair of the Jindal Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in steel, power, cement and infrastructure. As the family’s matriarch, she oversees the group while her sons manage separate business divisions. She is currently India’s wealthiest woman and has served in public office.
10. Abigail Johnson
Born: United States, Dec. 19, 1961
Abigail Johnson is the third-generation leader of Fidelity Investments. She rose through roles as an analyst and portfolio manager to become president, CEO and chairman. She has steered Fidelity into new areas, including cryptocurrency, and is the first woman to join the Financial Services Forum board.
9. Iris Fontbona and Family
Born: Chile, 1942
Iris Fontbona and her family inherited mining and beverage interests from her late husband and control a majority stake in conglomerate Quiñenco, as well as the copper miner Antofagasta Plc. She is Chile’s wealthiest individual and has made significant charitable contributions, including a major donation to the national telethon.
8. Susanne Klatten
Born: Germany, April 28, 1962
Susanne Klatten inherited a controlling stake in Altana, the pharmaceutical and chemical company, and later acquired full ownership after selling the pharma division. She also inherited a substantial stake in BMW and serves on Altana’s supervisory board.
7. Mackenzie Scott
Born: United States, April 7, 1970
Mackenzie Scott helped found Amazon alongside Jeff Bezos and received substantial Amazon stock in their 2019 divorce. She has become widely known for large, unrestricted philanthropic gifts and for signing the Giving Pledge to donate at least half her wealth. Scott is also a novelist and won an American Book Award for her debut novel.
6. Gina Rinehart
Born: Australia, Feb. 9, 1954
Gina Rinehart transformed her family’s Hancock Prospecting from a struggling operation into Australia’s largest private company, expanding into mining, cattle and media. She is also one of the country’s largest cattle producers and has diversified holdings across multiple industries.
5. Miriam Adelson
Born: Israel, Oct. 10, 1945
Miriam Adelson inherited a majority stake in Las Vegas Sands after the death of her husband, Sheldon Adelson. A trained physician, she and her husband founded a research clinic focused on substance abuse and have been active donors in public and political causes. In recognition of her public service, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018.
4. Jacqueline Mars
Born: United States, Oct. 10, 1939
Jacqueline Mars is an heir to Mars Incorporated, the confectionery giant founded by her grandfather and father. Beyond her stake in the company, she is active in philanthropy and supports equestrian and environmental causes.
3. Alice Walton
Anatolii Kovalov / Getty Images
Born: United States, Oct. 7, 1949
Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, holds a large stake in the company and built a career in investment before founding her own firm. She is an active philanthropist, focusing on the arts, health and education through the Alice L. Walton Foundation and the Whole Health Institute.
2. Julia Koch and Family
Born: United States, April 12, 1962
Julia Koch inherited a significant stake in Koch Industries after the death of her husband, David Koch. Before becoming part of that family enterprise, she worked in fashion, including roles assisting designer Adolfo and participating in high-profile events such as co-chairing the Met Gala.
1. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers
Born: France, July 10, 1953
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers became the world’s richest woman after inheriting L’Oréal family holdings from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt. The family dispute known as “The Bettencourt Affair” involved legal action to protect family assets when transfers of wealth to an outsider raised concerns. Beyond her business role, Meyers has published Bible commentaries and a genealogy of Greek gods.