While those at the top of the Forbes Billionaires List inherited their money, plenty of the world’s richest women is entirely self-made. Of course, there are many wealthy women globally, but who is the richest woman in 2019? According to Forbes, that title belongs to L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, who has $49.3 billion.
The Richest Woman In The World 2019, Others used their financial savvy to turn the silver spoon into an entire set of silver cutlery. So, who is the richest woman in the world in 2019? Bettencourt is followed by Alice Walton of Walmart fame, with a net worth of $44.9 billion. Christy Walton and Jacqueline Mars round out the top three, with net costs of $41.7 and $27.9 billion.
So what do these women have in common? Aside from their outstanding bank balances, they all own stakes in large companies that have made them very wealthy. Liliane Bettencourt inherited her stake in L’Oreal from her father, who founded the company in the 1920s. Alice Walton is a member of the Walton family, which owns Walmart.
The Richest Woman In The World 2019
10. Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken
Net worth: $13.8 billion
According to Forbes, Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken is the richest woman in the world, with a net worth of $13.9 billion. She is the heiress to the Heineken brewing company, which her father founded in 1864. de Carvalho-Heineken also has a sizable stake in Scottish & Newcastle, a brewing and pub company.
9. Iris Fontbona
Net worth: $14.6 billion
Iris Fontbona is the richest woman globally as of 2019, with an estimated net worth of $14.6 billion. She and her three sons inherited a majority stake in Chilean mining company Antofagasta PLC from her late husband, Andrónico Luksic, who passed away in 2005. The Fontbonas have since turned Antofagasta into one of the world’s leading copper producers. In addition to her mining interests, Iris Fontbona also has a stake in Banco de Chile, the country’s largest bank.
8. Abigail Johnson
Net worth: $14.7 billion
Johnson is the daughter of Fidelity Investments chairman and CEO Edward C. Johnson III. She joined the company in 1988, working as a research associate. After that, she ascended the ranks, becoming president of Fidelity’s mutual fund division in 2001 and CEO in 2004. Today, she oversees a $2 trillion empire that includes more than 250 funds. In March 2019, Forbes named her the richest woman globally, with a net worth of $14.7 Billion.
7. Gina Rinehart
Net worth: $14.9 billion
Gina Rinehart is the richest woman globally, with a net worth of $14.9 billion as of 2019. The daughter of Hancock Prospecting founder Lang Hancock, Gina inherited her father’s fortune and expanded it through intelligent investments. In 2011, she became Australia’s richest person and the world’s fourth-richest woman.
Rinehart has been embroiled in several controversies, including a 2012 feud with her children over control of the family business and accusations of tax evasion in 2013. She also made headlines for her extreme wealth inequality views, which she later retracted.
6. Laurene Powell Jobs
Net worth: $18.1 billion
Laurene Powell Jobs was the richest woman in the world in 2019. She is the widow of Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple. According to Forbes, Laurene has a net worth of $18.5 billion as of March 2019. After her husband died in 2011, Laurene became the largest individual shareholder of Walt Disney Company and a director on its board. In 2013, she founded Emerson Collective, a social impact organization.
5. Yang Huiyan
Net worth: $18.6 billion
Yang Huiyan, the richest woman in 2019, is a Chinese businesswoman who has a net worth of $18.6 billion as of February 2019. She is the daughter of Yang Guoqiang, the founder of Country Garden Holdings, one of China’s largest property developers. Yang Huiyan inherited her father’s stake in Country Garden when he died in 2007 and has since become one of China’s wealthiest women.
4. Susanne Klatten
Net worth: $20.8 billion
Susanne Klatten is a German businesswoman who has an estimated net worth of $20.8 billion as of 2019, making her the richest woman in the world. Klatten inherited her fortune from her parents, who founded and ran the pharmaceutical company Altana. She currently owns 50.1% of Altana, making her one of the largest shareholders. Klatten also has significant stakes in BMW and Quandt AG, both among the world’s largest automakers. In addition, she is a prominent philanthropist, donating millions to charity each year.
3. Jacqueline Mars
Net worth: $23.9 billion
Jacqueline Mars is the richest woman in the world. With a net worth of $23.9 billion, she easily beats out her nearest competitor, Alice Walton of Walmart fame, who has $22.4 billion. Jacqueline Mars is the granddaughter of Forrest Mars Sr., the founder of the candy company that bears his name. She and her two brothers, Forrest Jr. and John, inherited their father’s stake in the company upon his death in 1999. The siblings have since divvied up their shares, with Jacqueline retaining a 20% ownership stake in the company.
2. Alice Walton
Net worth: $44.6 billion
Alice Walton is the richest woman in the world. She is the daughter of Walmart co-founder Sam Walton. Alice inherited her father’s fortune and stake in Walmart, making her worth an estimated $46.6 billion. In 2019, Alice was ranked as the 11th richest person globally.
1. Françoise Bettencourt-Meyers
Net worth: $45.2 billion
According to Forbes, Fran oise Bettencourt-Meyers is the richest woman globally, with a net worth of $45.2 billion as of 2019. She inherited her fortune from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, the heiress of the L’Or al cosmetics empire. Bettencourt-Meyers serves as a director on the board of L’Or al and has a significant stake in the company. She also has interests in real estate and media.
