The Wealthiest Women of 2024

Women are increasingly making their mark on the global billionaires’ landscape, constituting a growing segment of Forbes’ World Billionaires list.

Leading the pack for the fourth consecutive year is Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the heiress of L’Oréal. Meyers witnessed a remarkable surge in her fortune over the past year, with her net worth reaching $99.5 billion. While her wealth soared by $19 billion, she fell just short of joining the exclusive $100 billion club.

For over two decades, the top spot among women billionaires has been dominated by either a Bettencourt or a Walton heiress. Bettencourt Meyers claimed the throne in 2019, succeeding her mother Liliane Bettencourt, who held the title for six years. Alice Walton, the art aficionado and daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, held the title in 2018 and 2020. Notably, nine out of the ten wealthiest women inherited their fortunes, be it from fathers, husbands, or in some cases, mothers. The exception is MacKenzie Scott, whose wealth stems from her divorce settlement with Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.

Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, co-founder of MSC, stands out as the wealthiest self-made woman on the list. With 100 self-made women featured, the list showcases women who founded or co-founded companies and built their wealth independently. Abigail Johnson, CEO of Fidelity Investments, exemplifies this, taking her company to record revenue levels and climbing the ranks of the wealthiest women.

The 2024 list welcomed 46 new women, propelled by stock market rallies and inheritances. Among them are tech sector figures Michelle Zatlyn and Lisa Su, benefiting from the surging shares of their respective companies. Notably, pop star Taylor Swift made her debut as a billionaire, primarily through her performances, recordings, and a lucrative music catalog.

Among the top ten richest women, notable figures include Gina Rinehart, Miriam Adelson, and Savitri Jindal. Rinehart, chair of Hancock Prospecting Group, leads in Australia’s wealth rankings, while Adelson’s stake in Las Vegas Sands solidifies her financial standing. Jindal, chair of Jindal Group, represents India’s wealthiest woman, overseeing diverse interests in steel, power, cement, and infrastructure.

In summary, women’s influence in the realm of billionaires continues to grow, with notable figures from diverse industries making their mark on the global wealth landscape.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Forbes}