Wealth is often associated with innovation, inheritance, and smart investments. In 2025, the richest women in the world include business leaders, heiresses, and philanthropists who have shaped industries ranging from retail to shipping. Here’s a closer look at the Top 10 richest women in 2025, their fortunes, and their influence.
Alice Walton – United States
Net Worth: $116 billion
Alice Walton is the only daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton. Unlike her brothers, who manage Walmart, Alice focused her energy on the arts. She founded the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas, which has become one of the most prestigious museums in the U.S. Today, she remains the world’s richest woman.
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers – France
Net Worth: $88.2 billion
Heiress to the L’Oréal empire, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is not just a businesswoman but also an author and philanthropist. She chairs the family holding company and continues to expand L’Oréal’s global dominance. She is also known for her passion for Greek mythology and music.
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Julia Koch – United States
Net Worth: $74.2 billion
Julia Koch inherited a vast fortune from her late husband, David Koch, who co-owned Koch Industries. She has become a major philanthropist, donating hundreds of millions to medical research, education, and the arts. Her wealth cements her place as one of the most powerful women in America.
Jacqueline Mars – United States
Net Worth: $42.6 billion
Jacqueline Mars is an heiress to the Mars candy empire, famous for brands like M&M’s, Snickers, and Pedigree pet food. She worked in the company for decades and is also known for her philanthropy in arts, education, and environmental causes.
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant – Switzerland
Net Worth: $37.7 billion
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant co-founded Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) with her husband Gianluigi Aponte. Today, MSC is the world’s largest shipping line. She is one of the few women in the shipping industry who has built such enormous wealth, proving that maritime trade still remains a powerful source of fortune.
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Savitri Jindal – India
Net Worth: $35.5 billion
Savitri Jindal is the matriarch of the Jindal Group, one of India’s biggest steel and power conglomerates. She inherited the company after the death of her husband, O.P. Jindal. Aside from business, she has also played a role in politics as a member of the Indian Parliament.
Abigail Johnson – United States
Net Worth: $32.7 billion
Abigail Johnson is the CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the largest asset management firms in the world. She is one of the most powerful women in finance and technology, having overseen Fidelity’s expansion into digital assets and cryptocurrency investment services.
Miriam Adelson – United States / Israel
Net Worth: $32.1 billion
Miriam Adelson is the widow of Sheldon Adelson, the casino magnate who built Las Vegas Sands into a global empire. After his passing, she inherited a majority stake in the company. She is also a physician and philanthropist, funding medical research and supporting pro-Israel initiatives.
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Marilyn Simons – United States
Net Worth: $31 billion
Marilyn Simons is the wife of Jim Simons, founder of the hedge fund Renaissance Technologies. She manages the Simons Foundation, one of the largest private funders of scientific research in the U.S., focusing on mathematics, autism research, and education.
Melinda French Gates – United States
Net Worth: $30.4 billion
Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since her divorce from Bill Gates, she has carved out her own path, creating Pivotal Ventures, an investment company focused on advancing women’s empowerment and social progress.
