Ukpono Anietie, PH
When most people think of the world’s wealthiest individuals, they often leave out the women, and picture men like Bernard Arnault, Elon Musk, or Jeff Bezos.
However, it’s important to remember that there are many incredibly successful women who have amassed fortunes of their own.
In fact, the richest women in the world has a net worth that far surpasses that of many of their male counterparts. Their wealth has been accumulated through years of hard work, innovation, and savvy investments, making them a true trailblazer in their industry.
In this article, we will explore the fascinating life and career of the world’s wealthiest women and learn more about how they rose to the top of the financial world.
Below are the top 5 richest women in the world:
- Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers was born in Paris, France on July 10, 1953. She was raised in a wealthy family and received a private education. She is the only child of Liliane Bettencourt.
Meyers has a degree in Literature and has been interested in various cultural and scientific initiatives throughout her life.
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers’ source of wealth is L’Oreal, the cosmetics company founded by her grandfather, Eugene Schueller. Her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, was the largest shareholder of L’Oreal and after her death in 2017, Françoise inherited her fortune.
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers’ net worth is estimated to be around $73.3 billion, making her the richest woman in the world in the world.
Despite her wealth and prominence, Meyers has lived a relatively private life, and her philanthropic work primarily focuses on supporting scientific research, culture, and human rights.
Philantropic Works
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers Foundation for the Memory of the Shoah is a non-profit organization based in France that supports research and education about the Holocaust.
The Foundation aims to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and to raise awareness about its lessons and its implications for contemporary society.
It also supports initiatives that contribute to the fight against anti-Semitism, racism, and all forms of discrimination.
She is also the president of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, which is a private foundation established by her mother Liliane Bettencourt in 1987.
The foundation supports various initiatives in the arts, health, and scientific research fields. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is known for her philanthropic activities and her contributions to the foundation.
Supporting cultural institutions such as the Opera of Paris, the French National Museum of Natural History, and the Louvre Museum.
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- Alice Walton
Alice Walton is an American heiress and philanthropist.
Alice Walton was born on October 7, 1949, in Newport, Arkansas. She grew up in Bentonville, Arkansas, and attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where she earned a degree in economics and finance. After college, she worked in finance and investment, eventually becoming a securities analyst.
She is the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton.
Source of wealth
Alice Walton’s source of wealth is primarily derived from her inheritance of Walmart stock. Walmart was founded by her father, Sam Walton, and has become one of the largest and most successful retailers in the world.
Alice, along with her siblings, inherited a large portion of Walmart stock after her father’s death and has continued to see her wealth grow as the company has expanded globally.
In addition to her inheritance, Alice has also been successful in her own right as a businesswoman and investor.
She is also known for her philanthropic work and has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, arts, and environmental conservation.
Net worth
She is the second richest women in the world, with a net worth estimated at over $59 up billion.
Alice Walton philanthropic work
Alice Walton is a well-known philanthropist who has donated millions of dollars to various causes throughout her life. Some of her notable philanthropic efforts include:
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: Alice founded the museum in Bentonville, Arkansas, which features American art from the colonial era to the present.
Walton Family Foundation: Alice is a board member of the foundation, which is dedicated to improving K-12 education, protecting rivers and oceans, and promoting access to healthcare.
Environmental Conservation: Alice is a major supporter of environmental conservation initiatives, including the Nature Conservancy, which seeks to protect land and water resources across the globe.
Arts and Education: Alice is also a strong supporter of arts and education initiatives, including the KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network of public charter schools, which provides education to underserved communities.
These are some of the ways in which Alice Walton has made a significant impact through her philanthropic efforts.
- Julia Koch
Julia Koch was born in 1963 in Wichita, Kansas. Not much is publicly known about her early life. She married David Koch in 1996 and they had three children together.
Julia Koch’s source of wealth is primarily from her late husband’s company, Koch Industries, which is one of the largest privately held companies in the world worth over $40 billion.
Net worth
Julia Koch has an estimated net worth of $60 billion, making her the third richest women in the world.
Julia Koch philanthropic work
Julia Koch is one of the richest women in the world known for her philanthropic work, particularly in the areas of medical research and education.
Julia Koch and her late husband David Koch made significant donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a leading cancer research and treatment center.
Their contributions helped fund the construction of the David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care at the institution, which provides patients with state-of-the-art treatment and care.
The Kochs’ generosity has made a lasting impact on the fight against cancer and has helped further the mission of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Julia Koch and her late husband David Koch have also made substantial donations to Lincoln Center, a world-renowned performing arts center in New York City.
Their contributions helped support various initiatives and renovations at the institution, including the renovation of the New York State Theater, which was renamed the David H. Koch Theater in 2008.
Their generosity has had a major impact on the arts and has helped ensure that Lincoln Center remains a hub of cultural activity for generations to come.
She and her late husband, David Koch, also established the David H. Koch Charitable Foundation, which supports a variety of causes, including medical research and education.
- Jacqueline Mars
Jacqueline Mars is an American billionaire heiress and philanthropist.
She is the daughter of Forrest Mars Sr. and the granddaughter of Frank C. Mars, the founders of the multinational confectionery company Mars, Incorporated.
Jacqueline Mars was previously married to David H. Badger, with whom she had three children. However, information about her current marital status is not publicly available
Jacqueline Mars source of wealth
Jacqueline Mars’ source of wealth is primarily from her inheritance of the Mars family fortune. Mars, Incorporated is one of the largest privately held companies in the world and is known for its popular confectionery brands, such as M&M’s, Snickers, and Mars Bars.
As a member of the Mars family, Jacqueline Mars has a significant stake in the company and has been a beneficiary of its financial success over the years.
Jacqueline Mars current net worth
As of 2023, Jacqueline Mars’ net worth is estimated to be over $38 billion, according to Forbes. This makes her one of the richest women in the world and a member of the exclusive billionaire’s club.
Jacqueline Mars philanthropic work
Jacqueline Mars is known for her philanthropic work and is active in supporting various causes and organizations. Some of the areas she focuses on include education, animal welfare, and the arts.
Jacqueline Mars has a strong commitment to education and supports a number of initiatives in this area. Some of her philanthropic work in education includes her support of the Brearley School in New York City, where she served as a trustee for many years.
She is also a supporter of the Breakthrough Collaborative, an organization that provides education programs and support for underserved students.
In addition, Mars is a member of the board of directors of the Center for Environmental Science and Policy at Stanford University, where she supports interdisciplinary research and education in the field of environmental science.
Through her philanthropy, Mars aims to provide access to quality education and support the next generation of leaders and innovators.
Jacqueline Mars is also known for her support of the arts. She is a long-time patron of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C. and serves on its board of directors.
In addition, she is a member of the board of directors for the Washington National Opera and has supported the organization through her philanthropy.
Jacqueline Mars has a strong interest in animal welfare and supports a number of initiatives in this area. She is a trustee of the US Equestrian Team and the National Sporting Library and Museum, which promote the responsible use of horses and other animals in sport and recreation.
In addition, Mars is a supporter of the Humane Society of the United States, an organization dedicated to the protection of all animals, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which works to prevent animal cruelty and promote animal welfare.
Through her philanthropy, Mars seeks to promote the responsible and humane treatment of animals and to improve their lives.
- MacKenzie Scott
She was born on April 7, 1970 in San Francisco, California. She attended Princeton University and later worked as a research associate and writer.
In 1994, she married Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and they had four children together before their divorce in 2019.
In 2021, MacKenzie Scott found love; this time to a high school teacher, Dan Jewett. She filed for divorce from Dan Jewett in 2022, but the divorced was finalized in January 2023.
Source of Wealth
MacKenzie Scott’s source of wealth is primarily from her divorce settlement with Jeff Bezos. In April 2019, Scott and Bezos announced their divorce after 25 years of marriage.
As part of the settlement, Scott received 25% of the couple’s Amazon stock, which was worth approximately $36 billion at the time.
Net worth
MacKenzie Scott current net worth is estimated to be around $27 billion.
MacKenzie Scott philanthropic work
MacKenzie Scott is a prominent philanthropist and has signed the Giving Pledge, committing to give away the majority of her wealth to charity during her lifetime.
In 2020, she made headlines for her rapid pace of giving, with donations totaling over $4 billion in just a few months.
Scott has supported a wide range of organizations and causes, including but not limited to, racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, economic mobility, public health, and climate change.
She has also made substantial donations to organizations working in education, the arts, and community development.
Shas made substantial philanthropic contributions to education as part of her overall commitment to giving away the majority of her wealth.
She has given millions of dollars in donations to support education initiatives, such as scholarships for low-income students and grants for educational organizations. Scott has also been a strong advocate for access to high-quality education for all and has spoken out about the importance of investing in education for creating a more equitable society.
MacKenzie Scott has also been actively involved in philanthropy in the arts. She has made donations to support a wide range of arts organizations, including theaters, museums, and dance companies.
These donations have been aimed at helping the organizations to continue their important work in promoting and preserving the arts and making them accessible to a wider audience.
Scott has also been a strong advocate for the role that the arts can play in enriching lives and bringing communities together. Her philanthropy in the arts has been praised for its support of creativity and artistic expression.
Scott’s philanthropic approach is data-driven, with a focus on organizations that are delivering results and helping to create lasting change. She has said that she wants her giving to be “effective, efficient, aligned and urgent.”
