The latest Forbes' 2025 Billionaires List shows that women remain underrepresented, making up just 13.4%, representing just 406 out of 3,028 billionaires in the world.

However, their numbers are slowly rising from 369 last year.

Leading the pack is Walmart heir Alice Walton, who is the world’s richest woman with an estimated $101 billion in net worth, reclaiming the title from L'Oréal heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers ($81.6 billion).

Julia Koch and Jacqueline Mars follow in third and fourth place.

According to Forbes, most of the wealthiest women inherited their fortunes, except for Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, who co-founded the world’s largest shipping line ($37.7 billion).

Other self-made women billionaires include Oprah Winfrey and Taylor Swift, whose fortune soared by 45% thanks to her record-breaking Eras Tour.

Meanwhile, Gina Rinehart and MacKenzie Scott dropped out of the top ten list, replaced by Melinda French Gates and Marilyn Simons.

Notable newcomers include pharmaceutical billionaire Martine Rothblatt and Russian cosmetics mogul Tatiana Volodina.

See the top 10 richest women in the world (2025) below:

1. Alice Walton

Net worth: $101 billion

Age: 75

Source of wealth: Walmart

Citizenship: U.S.

The only daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton gained $28.7 billion this year as Walmart shares soared. She is known for her contributions to the arts and is opening a medical school in 2025.

2. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & Family

Net worth: $81.6 billion

Age: 71

Source of wealth: L'Oréal

Citizenship: France

The L'Oréal heiress saw her fortune dip as shares dropped 20%. She retired as vice chair in 2024, with her son Jean-Victor set to take over.

3. Julia Koch & Family

Net worth: $74.2 billion

Age: 62

Source of wealth: Koch, Inc.

Citizenship: U.S.

The widow of David Koch (d. 2019) holds a 42% stake in Koch, Inc., a giant in oil, agriculture, and real estate. She gained nearly $10 billion this year.

4. Jacqueline Mars

Net worth: $42.6 billion

Age: 85

Source of wealth: Candy, pet food

Citizenship: U.S.

Mars co-owns Mars Inc., the company behind M&Ms, Snickers, and Pedigree pet food. Her grandfather started the business in 1911.

5. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant

Net worth: $37.7 billion

Age: 80

Source of wealth: Shipping

Citizenship: Switzerland

The wealthiest self-made woman, Aponte-Diamant co-founded Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest shipping line, with her husband in 1970.

6. Savitri Jindal & Family

Net worth: $35.5 billion

Age: 75

Source of wealth: Steel

Citizenship: India

India’s richest woman leads the Jindal Group, a conglomerate spanning steel, power, cement, and infrastructure. She took over after her husband’s death in 2005.

7. Abigail Johnson

Net worth: $32.7 billion

Age: 63

Source of wealth: Fidelity Investments

Citizenship: U.S.

Johnson, CEO of Fidelity Investments, owns 28.5% of the company founded by her grandfather. She took over leadership in 2014 after working there since 1988.

8. Miriam Adelson & Family

Net worth: $32.1 billion

Age: 79

Source of wealth: Casinos

Citizenship: U.S.

Adelson and her family own over half of Las Vegas Sands, a major casino empire. A trained physician, she is also active in philanthropy and a significant GOP donor.

9. Marilyn Simons & Family

Net worth: $31 billion

Age: 74

Source of wealth: Hedge funds

Citizenship: U.S.

The widow of investor Jim Simons (d. 2024) oversees the Simons Foundation, supporting science and education. She serves on various academic boards and leads a women's mentorship program at Stony Brook University.

10. Melinda French Gates

Net worth: $30.4 billion

Age: 60

Source of wealth: Microsoft, investments

Citizenship: U.S.

French Gates gained $19.3 billion this year, with her divorce settlement from Bill Gates now estimated at $25 billion. She left the Gates Foundation in 2024 to focus on Pivotal Ventures, investing in women-led startups and philanthropy.

With additional files from Forbes

MA

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