World Richest Women in 2025 – How They Made Their Money

The world’s richest women have built their wealth in different ways. Some inherited fortunes from family businesses, while others made their own money through hard work and smart investments. While men still dominate the list of billionaires, more women are reaching the top.

Whether through leadership, investments, or inheritance, these women hold significant influence in the global economy. Here are the richest women in 2025 and how they earned their fortunes.

Alice Walton – $112.5 billion

Alice Walton is the daughter of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart. Unlike her brothers, who focus on running the company, Alice has dedicated her time to art and philanthropy. She owns a massive art collection and founded the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Her wealth comes from Walmart shares, making her the richest woman in the world.

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers – $74.8 billion

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is the heiress to the L’Oréal empire. She inherited the company from her mother and has expanded it globally. L’Oréal owns popular beauty brands and continues to grow in value. Besides business, Françoise is also an author and philanthropist.

Julia Koch & Family – $74.2 billion

Julia Koch inherited her wealth from her late husband, David Koch, who was a co-owner of Koch Industries. The company operates in oil, chemicals, and manufacturing. Julia and her family own a large stake in the business, making her one of the wealthiest women in the world.

Jacqueline Mars – $42.3 billion

Jacqueline Mars is part of the family that owns Mars Inc., the famous candy and pet food company. The brand is behind products like M&M’s, Snickers, and Pedigree dog food. She inherited her wealth but remains involved in the company’s operations.

Rafaela Aponte-Diamant – $39 billion

Rafaela Aponte-Diamant and her husband, Gianluigi, co-founded the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the largest container shipping line in the world. The company started with a single ship and grew into a global giant. Her fortune comes from her ownership stake in MSC.

Abigail Johnson – $36 billion

Abigail Johnson is the CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the largest financial services companies in the world. She took over the business from her father and helped it grow by embracing digital technology. Fidelity manages billions of dollars in assets, making Abigail one of the wealthiest women in finance.

Savitri Jindal & Family – $32.4 billion

Savitri Jindal inherited her wealth from her late husband, Om Prakash Jindal, who founded the Jindal Group. The company operates in steel, power, and infrastructure. Savitri and her children now manage the business, expanding its influence in India and beyond.

MacKenzie Scott – $32.3 billion

MacKenzie Scott is a novelist and philanthropist. She became a billionaire after divorcing Jeff Bezos, receiving a large share of Amazon stock. Instead of holding onto her fortune, MacKenzie donates billions to charities and social causes, making her one of the most generous billionaires in history.

Miriam Adelson & Family – $31.5 billion

Miriam Adelson inherited her wealth from her late husband, Sheldon Adelson, who built a global casino empire. She owns a major stake in Las Vegas Sands, a company that operates luxury casinos in Las Vegas and Asia. In 2023, she also became a majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team.

Marilyn Simons & Family – $31 billion

Marilyn Simons is the widow of Jim Simons, a legendary hedge fund manager. Jim founded Renaissance Technologies, one of the most successful investment firms in history. Marilyn now oversees the Simons Foundation, which funds research in science and education.