The landscape of wealth is shifting, with women increasingly taking prominent roles. Discover the stories and fortunes of the richest women in the world 2025.
Alice Walton, heir to the Walmart fortune, tops the list with an astonishing net worth of $101 billion, marking a 40% surge in her wealth due to Walmart's impressive stock performance. This rise showcases the profound influence that Walmart holds in the market, reflecting not only Walton's success but also the broader impact of retail giants on wealth distribution.
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, holding a net worth of $37.7 billion, stands out as the only self-made woman in the top five, emphasizing the importance of female entrepreneurship in sectors traditionally dominated by men, like shipping. Her creation of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has propelled her into the upper echelons of wealth, proving the might of female visionaries in driving industry growth.
Melinda French Gates has transitioned from philanthropy into a strategic investor role through her firm Pivotal Ventures. This shift underscores a significant trend in social impact investing, where women-led ventures receive increasing attention and funding. Gates’ firm targets innovative solutions for women's issues, making waves in the venture capital landscape.
Presently, just 13% of the world’s billionaires are women, a figure that illustrates both the challenges and progress in achieving gender parity in wealth. As of 2025, there are 406 female billionaires in a global total of 3,028, a modest increase from previous years. This growth highlights the gradual change toward greater representation among the wealthy.
Here’s an overview of the top ten richest women in the world in 2025:
1. Alice Walton
- Net Worth: $101 billion
- Age: 75
- Source of Wealth: Walmart
- Citizenship: U.S.
- Alice’s passion extends beyond retail; she opened the Crystal Bridges Museum of Art and recently established a medical school in Bentonville, Arkansas.
2. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers
- Net Worth: $81.6 billion
- Age: 71
- Source of Wealth: L'Oréal
- Citizenship: France
- A decline in her wealth due to L'Oreal’s performance in the market shows the volatility of wealth in the beauty industry.
3. Julia Koch & Family
- Net Worth: $74.2 billion
- Age: 62
- Source of Wealth: Koch Industries
- Citizenship: U.S.
- Inherited her wealth post the passing of her husband, David Koch, and continues to manage extensive family investments.
4. Jacqueline Mars
- Net Worth: $42.6 billion
- Age: 85
- Source of Wealth: Candy and Pet Food
- Citizenship: U.S.
- As an heir to the Mars Inc. fortune, Jacqueline’s contributions to philanthropy remain significant; she’s involved with causes ranging from education to animal welfare.
5. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant
- Net Worth: $37.7 billion
- Age: 80
- Source of Wealth: Shipping
- Citizenship: Switzerland
- Her influential role in the shipping industry has made her the richest self-made woman globally.
6. Savitri Jindal & Family
- Net Worth: $35.5 billion
- Age: 75
- Source of Wealth: Steel
- Citizenship: India
- Leading the Jindal Group, Savitri’s wealth arises from a diverse array of sectors, demonstrating the reach of her family business.
7. Abigail Johnson
- Net Worth: $32.7 billion
- Age: 63
- Source of Wealth: Fidelity
- Citizenship: U.S.
- As the CEO of Fidelity Investments, Johnson has played a pivotal role in shaping the investment landscape.
8. Miriam Adelson & Family
- Net Worth: $32.1 billion
- Age: 79
- Source of Wealth: Casinos
- Citizenship: U.S.
- Engaged in philanthropy and political donations, demonstrating how her wealth is used for influence.
9. Marilyn Simons & Family
- Net Worth: $31.0 billion
- Age: 74
- Source of Wealth: Hedge Funds
- Citizenship: U.S.
- Focuses on educational philanthropy through the Simons Foundation founded with her late husband.
10. Melinda French Gates
- Net Worth: $30.4 billion
- Age: 60
- Source of Wealth: Microsoft, Investments
- Citizenship: U.S.
- After resigning from the Gates Foundation, she is now a key player in investing in woman-led startups, marking a significant trend in empowering women through business.
The narratives of these influential women reveal not only their incredible financial successes but exhibit a growing trend of female empowerment and entrepreneurship in various sectors. As wealth distribution among billionaires slowly shifts towards greater female representation, the significance of nurturing women-led businesses becomes increasingly clear. The accomplishments of women like Alice Walton and Rafaela Aponte-Diamant should serve as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.