Who is the richest woman in the world in 2025? This year’s title goes to Walmart heiress Alice Walton, leading a list of ultra-wealthy women who have amassed fortunes in industries ranging from retail and cosmetics to mining and finance. Overall, women remain underrepresented among billionaires – only 406 of the world’s 3,028 billionaires are women (about 13.4%), though this is up from 369 a year prior. Notably, the top richest women are predominantly beneficiaries of family fortunes: about 9 in 10 of the wealthiest women inherited their wealth. Below we rank the top 10 richest women in the world in 2025, including each woman’s net worth, whether the fortune is self-made or inherited, the industries behind their wealth, and key background and achievements. These profiles provide an engaging look at the powerful women billionaires shaping business and philanthropy today.

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1. Alice Walton – $101 Billion (Inherited)

Alice Walton is the richest woman in the world as of 2025, with an estimated net worth of about $101 billion. Walton’s wealth is inherited from the Walmart retail empire—she is the only daughter of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, and received a large share of the company’s stock upon his death. Her fortune surged by nearly $28.7 billion in 2024 alone thanks to Walmart’s strong stock performance. Despite her immense wealth, Alice Walton has charted a different path than her brothers who run Walmart’s board: she has never taken an active role in Walmart’s operations and instead focuses on art and philanthropy. She founded the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas and also established the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, integrating arts and whole-health principles into medical education. Walton’s philanthropic contributions total in the billions; for example, her Art Bridges Foundation gifted $249 million to help fund the new medical school in 2022. As of 2025, Alice Walton stands not only as the world’s richest woman but also a prominent patron of the arts and healthcare, exemplifying how dynastic retail wealth can be channeled into cultural and charitable endeavors.

2. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers & Family – $81.6 Billion (Inherited)

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, with an estimated net worth of $81.5 billion, is the second-richest woman in the world in 2025. Her wealth is firmly rooted in the beauty industry: Françoise is the only granddaughter of Eugène Schueller, the founder of L’Oréal, and she inherited a large stake in L’Oréal from her mother Liliane Bettencourt (who herself was once the world’s richest woman). The Bettencourt Meyers family owns roughly one-third of L’Oréal’s stock, and Françoise has served on L’Oréal’s board of directors since 1997. This inherited fortune has grown as L’Oréal expanded globally, even making Françoise the first woman ever to reach a $100 billion net worth (briefly, in 2023). In addition to overseeing the family’s stake in the cosmetics giant, she is known for her philanthropy and authorship. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers presides over the family’s Bettencourt Schueller Foundation and has funded major charitable projects. Notably, after the 2019 Notre-Dame cathedral fire, she and her family donated €200 million (about $226 million) for its reconstruction. Bettencourt Meyers exemplifies how an heiress can both preserve a legacy business and use her influence for cultural and humanitarian impact.

3. Julia Koch & Family – $74.2 Billion (Inherited)

Julia Flesher Koch and her family hold a net worth of approximately $74.2 billion, placing her among the top richest women globally. Julia Koch’s fortune is inherited: in 2019, she and her three children received a 42% stake in Koch Industries following the death of her husband, billionaire industrialist David Koch. Koch Industries – a diverse conglomerate involved in oil refining, chemicals, commodities trading, and more – is one of the largest privately held companies in the world, with over $100 billion in annual revenue. Owning nearly half of this empire has made Julia Koch extraordinarily wealthy. She currently serves on Koch Industries’ board, helping steward the company’s direction. Before entering the world of industrial fortunes, Julia had a humble start: she moved to New York in the 1980s and worked as an assistant to a fashion designer, Adolfo, which is a far cry from her life today overseeing part of Koch Industries. Beyond business, Julia Koch is involved in significant philanthropic and cultural institutions. She sits on the boards of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others, reflecting her family’s influence in philanthropy. Her journey underscores how an inherited stake in a major industry can be guided responsibly into charitable and artistic endeavors.

4. Jacqueline Mars – $42.6 Billion (Inherited)

Jacqueline Mars, with a fortune around $42 billion, is an heir to the Mars candy and pet food dynasty. She is the daughter of Forrest Mars Sr. and granddaughter of Frank C. Mars, who founded Mars, Incorporated over a century ago. Jacqueline owns roughly one-third of Mars Inc., a company famous for brands like M&M’s, Snickers, and Pedigree pet food. This inherited stake makes her one of the richest women in 2025, as Mars Inc. is a highly successful privately held company (now expanding into pet care and health-conscious snacks, which has boosted its valuation). Though she is not involved in day-to-day operations, Mars previously worked for the family firm and remains a respected figure on the board of directors. At age 85, Jacqueline Mars is also known for her low-profile lifestyle and extensive philanthropy. She has been a generous supporter of the arts, education, and equestrian sports. In fact, Jacqueline is an active board member of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation and has supported the Smithsonian and National Archives. She even received the National Archives Foundation’s Heritage Award for her contributions to historic preservation. Jacqueline Mars’s story highlights a blend of legacy and generosity – her wealth comes from a beloved family brand, and she uses that wealth to give back to cultural and community causes.

5. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant – $37.7 Billion (Self-Made)

Rafaela Aponte-Diamant is a rare example of a self-made female billionaire in this top tier. She and her husband Gianluigi Aponte co-founded the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in 1970 with one ship, and over five decades grew it into the world’s largest privately owned container shipping line. As a result, Rafaela Aponte’s net worth in 2025 is estimated around $37.7 billion. Her wealth comes from the shipping and logistics industry, an arena where she and her husband have been hands-on entrepreneurs. The couple’s success story is legendary – they started MSC after meeting on a ship (Rafaela was a passenger on a cruise Gianluigi captained) and steadily expanded by reinvesting in more vessels and port infrastructure. Today, MSC is a global shipping empire spanning cargo transport, cruise lines, and port operations. Beyond shipping, Rafaela Aponte-Diamant also has significant roles in finance and philanthropy. She sits on the boards of Swiss banking giants UBS and (formerly) Credit Suisse, indicating her influence extends into the financial sector as well. Rafaela and her family are also known art collectors and benefactors; they have donated millions to museums and cultural institutions in Europe. As the richest self-made woman in the world, Aponte-Diamant exemplifies entrepreneurial achievement, having built a fortune through grit and savvy in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

6. Abigail Johnson – $32.7 Billion (Inherited/Business Leadership)

Abigail Johnson has an estimated net worth of $32.7 billion, derived from her substantial stake in Fidelity Investments. Abigail represents a mix of inherited wealth and active business leadership. She is the granddaughter of Edward C. Johnson II, who founded Fidelity, and she inherited a large portion of the company’s shares (roughly one-quarter ownership). However, unlike many peers who passively inherit wealth, Abigail Johnson took the reins of the family business and has grown it. She started at Fidelity in 1980 as an intern and analyst, working her way up while earning an MBA from Harvard. In 2014, she became CEO and chairman of Fidelity Investments, one of the world’s largest asset management firms, overseeing over $4 trillion in assets. Under her leadership, Fidelity has expanded its brokerage services, mutual funds, and 401(k) business, helping to increase the value of the Johnson family’s holdings. Johnson’s wealth is tightly linked to Fidelity’s performance (her fortune climbed after her father’s passing in 2022, as she likely inherited additional shares). Despite her massive wealth, Abigail keeps a relatively low public profile. She has been listed among the most powerful women in finance and has gradually opened Fidelity to cryptocurrency and other new investments, modernizing the company. Her story is often cited as an example of a second-generation (now third-generation) leader successfully taking a family company into the future. In sum, Abigail Johnson’s $32 billion-plus fortune comes from finance – but it’s also a testament to her own role in sustaining and growing that family legacy.

7. Savitri Jindal & Family – $32.3 Billion (Inherited)

Savitri Jindal, with a net worth of roughly $32.3 billion, is the richest woman in India and a prominent figure in the global billionaire ranks. Her wealth is primarily inherited from the Jindal family’s industrial conglomerate. Savitri’s late husband, Om Prakash Jindal, founded the OP Jindal Group – a powerhouse in steel, power generation, cement, and infrastructure – and upon his tragic death in a helicopter crash in 2005, Savitri succeeded him as chair of the group. The family’s companies (such as JSW Steel and Jindal Steel & Power) have grown immensely over the past decade, driving up the value of her holdings. Jindal’s wealth “flows from steel,” as one report put it, and the booming infrastructure and manufacturing needs in India have contributed to her net worth. Beyond business, Savitri Jindal has also been active in public life. She entered politics and served as a minister in the state government of Haryana, and she remains a member of the state legislative assembly (MLA). Through these roles, as well as the family’s charitable trusts, she advocates for education, healthcare, and welfare programs in her region. It’s also notable that Savitri Jindal is a mother of nine and has seen her children take on various leadership roles within the Jindal Group. Her journey underscores the stewardship of a family industrial legacy – her fortune rose as her family’s companies thrived, and she has used her influential position to push forward social development initiatives along with business growth.

8. Miriam Adelson & Family – $35.2 Billion (Inherited)

Miriam Adelson’s wealth is estimated at about $35 billion, built on a mix of casinos and medical science. She is the widow of Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas casino magnate, and inherited the majority share of Las Vegas Sands Corp. upon his passing in 2021. Owning nearly 52% of Las Vegas Sands – which operates resorts in Las Vegas, Macao, and Singapore – makes her the world’s wealthiest casino owner. This inherited casino fortune has landed Miriam high on the billionaire list (she’s among the 50 richest people worldwide). However, Miriam Adelson’s personal story goes far beyond casinos. Born in Israel, she built a career as a physician, specializing in internal medicine. She and Sheldon Adelson married in the early 1990s, and together they became major philanthropists and political donors in the U.S. and Israel. Miriam Adelson is particularly known for her work in drug addiction research and treatment – she founded addiction clinics in Las Vegas and Tel Aviv, reflecting her passion for medicine and public health. In business, she now plays the role of majority shareholder, ensuring the continued global expansion of Las Vegas Sands (which has focused more on its Asian operations after selling its Vegas properties). Adelson has also received awards in Israel for her philanthropy and contributions to society. Her life is an example of an individual who straddles two worlds: one of flashy casino wealth and another of scientific and charitable endeavors.

9. Marilyn Simons & Family – $31 Billion (Inherited)

Marilyn Simons oversees an estimated $31 billion family fortune, placing her among the top ten richest women of 2025. She is the widow of legendary hedge fund manager Jim Simons (founder of Renaissance Technologies) and came into most of her wealth after Jim Simons’ death in 2024. Jim Simons was often cited as one of finance’s most successful billionaires, and much of that wealth has now transferred to Marilyn and their family. This fortune is largely inherited, stemming from Renaissance Technologies’ massive Medallion Fund profits and savvy tech investments. Importantly, Marilyn Simons has long been more than just a spouse in the background. She co-founded the Simons Foundation with her husband in 1994, and for decades she has been president of this charitable foundation. The Simons Foundation is one of the largest private science philanthropies in the world, funding research in mathematics, physics, and life sciences. Today, Marilyn Simons continues to control and direct the foundation’s initiatives, channeling a significant portion of the family wealth into advancing scientific knowledge. With her newfound status as a multibillionaire, she also likely holds stakes in various investments that Jim Simons left behind (such as stakes in Renaissance funds and other assets). Described as a “fund manager” for the family, Marilyn has a Ph.D. in economics and has always had a role in managing philanthropic strategy. Her story gained prominence after 2024, demonstrating how the torch of a financial empire can pass on and how an heiress can emphasize philanthropy—her fortune grew by nearly $10 billion in the past year as she assumed control, and she’s using that wealth to continue supporting scientific innovation.

10. Melinda French Gates – $30.4 Billion (Investment/Divorce Settlement)

Melinda French Gates has an approximate net worth of $30.4 billion in 2025, rounding out the list of the world’s richest women. Unlike many others in this top ten, Melinda’s wealth is neither inherited nor earned from founding a company, but rather comes from her longtime partnership with (and 2021 divorce from) Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. After 27 years of marriage, Melinda received a sizable share of the Gates family assets – including stakes in Microsoft and an investment portfolio – as part of the divorce settlement. This has made her one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, though she was already a billionaire philanthropist alongside Bill during their marriage. Melinda is best known for her philanthropic work and advocacy. In 2000, she co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is the largest private charitable foundation in the world, focusing on global health, education, and poverty alleviation. She has been a key figure in guiding the foundation’s $70 billion endowment and initiatives, leveraging her background in computer science and business (Melinda is a former Microsoft manager who met Bill Gates through work). In addition, she founded Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubator company aimed at empowering women and families by addressing issues like gender equality and access to capital. Now financially independent, Melinda French Gates has sharpened her focus on women’s rights, reproductive health, and education through both charitable grants and venture capital investments. Her position as one of the richest women in 2025 underscores the growing trend of mega-philanthropists: individuals who convert vast wealth into efforts to solve some of the world’s toughest problems.

World’s Richest Women: Wealth, Influence, and Impact

In 2025, these top ten richest women collectively are worth over half a trillion dollars and have enormous influence in their respective spheres. From retail and technology to steel and shipping, their industries are diverse, yet most of these women share a common thread: inheriting or expanding family fortunes. Indeed, only one on this list – Rafaela Aponte-Diamant – can be considered truly self-made in the entrepreneurial sense, highlighting the ongoing imbalance in how wealth is accumulated. Still, many have stepped beyond the businesses that gave them riches, channeling their wealth into philanthropy, art, and public service. Alice Walton, the richest woman in the world, exemplifies this by using her Walmart fortune to fund art museums and healthcare initiatives. Likewise, others like Melinda French Gates and Marilyn Simons are deploying billions to charitable causes. As we discuss who is the richest woman and track the richest women 2025, it’s clear that their impact extends far beyond their bank accounts. These women are not only symbols of financial success but also key players in global philanthropy and industry – their legacies will be defined by how they wield their wealth to shape a better world.