Female Billionaires And Their Roads To Wealth
No matter what kind of spoon a person is born with, it's not easy to become a billionaire. Years of hard work, determination, and understanding of the market are necessary. Just because Kylie Jenner comes from millions doesn't mean her cosmetics line was guaranteed to earn her billions. Other female billionaires worked their way up from nothing, proving the American dream is alive and well. And of course, some inherited their wealth but haven't taken their luck for granted. These are the richest female billionaires in the world!
Charlotte Casiraghi - $5.7 Billion
Charlotte Casiraghi is eighth in line to the throne of Monaco, is the second child of Caroline, Princess of Hanover, and is also a model. The bottom line is, it's not surprising she's worth an estimated $5.7 billion.
In 2013, Casiraghi made headlines when she gave birth to a son out of wedlock. The father, French actor Gad Elmaleh, was older than Casiraghi but not wiser. After two years together, the couple broke up because he was not "around enough."
Yvonne Bauer - $2.4 Billion
Yvonne Bauer is worth $2.4 billion and there are at least 1,050 good reasons why. The heiress daughter of Heinz Bauer owns 600 magazines, 400 digital productions, and 50 radio and television stations across the world.
Bauer Media, the company she now runs, was founded in 1875 and is based in Germany. She took over in 2010 as CEO when her father transferred 85 percent of the company to her.
Alexandra Andresen - $1.4 Billion
Alexandra Andresen was 22-years-old when she surpassed $1 billion in net worth, making her the youngest billionaire in the world. Born and raised in Norway, Andresen today is worth a reported $1.4 billion.
A majority of Andresen's net worth comes from the family business. Her father is a Norwegian industrialist who owns Ferd AS. Recently he transferred 80 percent of his shares in the company to Alexandra and her sister.
Athina Onassis - $100 Million To $800 Million
At one point, Athina Onassis was estimated to be worth $5 billion, earning her a spot on this list. When she turned 18, she inherited $800 million for being the last surviving descendant of Aristotle Onassis.
After expanding her net worth, her fortune began to dwindle as a result of her extravagant lifestyle and an estimated $100 million divorce settlement. While her net worth is currently unknown, it is predicted to range from $100 million to $800 million.
Laurene Powell Jobs - $20.4 Billion
Laurene Powell Jobs is the late wife of Apple found Steve Jobs and works as a philanthropist. She is worth an estimated $20.4 billion, making her one of the richest women in the world.
Powell Jobs went to college at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, where she received a BA in Art and Science. She then earned her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She also founded the Emerson Collective, a program that helps under-resourced students through entrepreneurship.
Lynsi Snyder - $3 Billion
Lynsi Snyder is worth an estimated $3 billion. In 2017, when she turned 35-years-old, she was given the final portion of her In-N-Out Burger family inheritance. Today, she owns 97 percent of the company.
Despite her unquestionable riches, Snyder has seen her fair share of pain. In 1993 she lost her uncle, and in 1999 she lost her father. The hurt hasn't stopped her from going after her goals, and in 2018 she was named the fourth-best CEO in the country based on employee reviews conducted by Glassdoor.
Tamara Ecclestone - $3.6 Billion
A socialite, television personality, and heiress, Tamara Ecclestone is the daughter of billionaire Bernie Ecclestone. Tamara, who has appeared as a presenter for Sky Sports, is worth an estimated $3.6 billion. Her father is the chief executive of the Formula One Group.
Tamara made unfortunate headlines in 2013 when her ex-fiance tried to blackmail her. He claimed if she didn't pay him, he would share "intimate secrets" with the press. Instead, he was sentenced to four years in prison for the attempted extortion.
Petra Stunt - $3.6 Billion
Petra Stunt is the second daughter of Bernie Ecclestone and a billionaire as a result. She is a model, fashion designer, and socialite. In 2001, Petra married billionaire James Stunt and the couple's wedding cost a reported 12 million Euros.
After getting married, the couple made headlines with a major real-estate splash - they bought mega-producer Aaron Spelling's mansion, renovated it, and listed it for sale with a starting price of $200 million!
Perenna Kei - $1.3 Billion
Perenna Kei is the daughter of Ji Haipeng, the chairman and CEO of one of China's biggest real estate companies. Once she was old enough, Perenna joined the company as the non-executive director. Today, she owns 85 percent of the company and is worth $1.3 billion.
Perenna also owns Logan Property in the Cayman Islands and is the company's only shareholder. While she could retire young if she wanted to, she says she enjoys being a businesswoman too much.
Margarita Louis-Dreyfus - $9.5 Billion
Margarita Louis-Dreyfus grew up in an orphanage in Russia before meeting her French billionaire husband, Robert Louis-Dreyfus, on an airplane in 1992. Today, that chance encounter has helped her earn a net worth of nearly $10 billion.
When Robert passed away, he left his company to his wife. Today, she owns companies in more than 100 countries. She also happens to be the second cousin of American actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Jane Lauder - $1.4 Billion
The sister of Aerin Lauder and an heiress to the Estee Lauder empire is Jane Lauder. She is worth an estimated $1.4 billion and currently holds the position of global president and general manager of Ojon, Origins, Darphin, and Estee Lauder.
Jane entered the family business in 1996 and over 20 years later owns 20 million shares in the company. Not to be outdone, her husband is the former governor of the U.S. Federal Reserve System.
Lee Seo-Hyun - $1.5 Billion
Lee Seo-Hyun is the president of Cheil Industries, a textile manufacturer in South Korea. She has been the leader of the company since 2015 and has since expanded its interests into chemicals and fashion.
Reaching for the stars, Lee also helped merge Cheil Industries with Samsung Everland and Samsung SDI. This venture became the leading producer of energy storage solutions and helped skyrocket her net worth. This achievement placed her on the list of the 50 richest people in Korea.
Sandra Ortega Mera - $7.3 Billion
Sandra Ortega Mera inherited her family's fortune in 2013 when her mother passed away. She is listed as the richest woman in the country of Spain. Her father is Amancio Ortega Gaona, one of the richest people in the world.
Mera owns 89 percent of Rosp Corunna and also holds a stake in Inditex, her father's company. She lives in Coruna, Spain, where she is happily married with three children.
Abigail Pierrepont Johnson - $13.7 Billion
Abigail Pierrepont Johnson is the President and CEO of Fidelity Investments. She is also the chairman of Fidelity International. Thanks to her position in the company she is worth an estimated $13.7 billion.
Johnson's grandfather founded Fidelity and is the current chairman. Johnson has an overall 49 percent stake in the company. According to Forbes, she is the 19th most powerful woman in the country. Who knows how much higher she'll climb in a few years.
Dylan Lauren - $4.7 Billion
Worth an estimated $4.7 billion, Dylan Lauren is the daughter of iconic fashion designer Ralph Lauren. She didn't follow in her father's footsteps, though, and instead opened the world's largest candy shop, Dylan's Candy Bar.
While she may have set out to make her own name in the business world, Lauren credits her father for teaching her the ropes, "Everyone in my family is entrepreneurial. I learned how to be entrepreneurial from my dad and wanted to start my own business."
Allison Sarofim - $1.5 Billion
Fayez Sarofim is the founder of Fayez Sarofim & Co. His daughter is Allison Sarofim, and thanks to her inheritance from her father and mother, she is worth an estimated $1.5 billion. Aside from the family business, Allison is also a movie producer.
Fayez is listed by Forbes as the 847th richest person in the world. He founded his company in 1958 and was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 1997.
Ana Lucia de Mattos Barretto Villela - $2 Billion
Raised by her aunt after her parents passed away in 1982, Ana Lucia de Mattos Barretto Villela is worth an estimated $2 billion. Most of her net worth comes from her family inheritance.
Villela's great-grandfather founded Itau, one of the largest banks in Brazil. She lives in Sao Paulo with her husband and prefers to keep as low of a profile as possible, despite being the youngest female billionaire in Brazil.
Anna Anisimova - $2 Billion
Known in the United States as the Russian Paris Hilton, Anna Anisimova is a socialite who is worth a reported $2 billion. Her family fortune comes from her father, who built his wealth through metal trading.
After a tragedy struck the family in Russia, Anna was moved to the United States to protect her. Since moving to America, she has dipped her toes into the entertainment industry both as an actress and a model.
Amanda Hearst - $8.7 Billion
Born and raised in New York, Amanda Hearst is American royalty. She is the great-granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst, one of the country's most iconic media moguls. Thanks to her expected inheritance, she is worth an estimated $8.7 billion.
Of course, not every publication agrees with that number. Multiple outlets have her net worth estimated at a much more modest $100 million, despite the prestige of her upbringing. Currently, Hearst works as the associate market editor for Marie Claire.
Marie Besnier Beauvalot - $6.1 Billion
Marie Besnier Beauvalot is the granddaughter of Andre Besnier, the founder of the Besnier Group. Her father was the CEO of Lactalis as well. In 2000, Beauvalot, along with her two brothers, inherited 100 percent of the company.
Lactalis, based in Western France, is best known for making brie cheese. While she could live a life of luxury with her wealth, Beauvalot prefers to live more modestly while staying out of the public eye.
Yang Huiyan - $25.8 Billion
Yang Huiyan's father found a company called Country Garden Holdings in 1992. In 2005, he transferred the company to his daughter, who today is worth $25.8 billion. On top of running the family business, Huiyan also toys around in Australian real estate.
Huiyan's net worth really began to skyrocket when $410 million was raised through selling shares. The sales increased her worth by an astonishing $2.1 billion in just four days!
Zhou Qunfei - $9.8 Billion
The second richest woman in China, Zhou Qunfei is worth an estimated $9.8 billion. Unlike others on this list, she is an entirely self-made billionaire. Qunfei grew up in a poor family without a mother.
Against the more dire circumstances, Qunfei found Lens Technology, a company that makes touch screens. The screens made by her company are used by major electronic firms including Samsung, Huawei, and Apple. Her estate in Hong Kong cost her $27 million.
Anna Getty - $2.4 Billion
Anna Getty inherited her $2.4 billion net worth from her mother, Gisela Getty, and her father, Rolf Zacher. Her great-grandfather is Paul Getty, the founder of the Getty Oil Company. As a result, she holds the key to the entire fortune of the Getty family.
Before joining the family business, Anna worked as an actress and yoga instructor. And if the name "Getty" sounds familiar, it's because her family also owns Getty Images.
Susanne Klatten - $25.1 Billion
German heiress Susanne Klatten is worth a reported $25.1 billion and is currently the richest woman in Germany. She earned her riches through the inheritance of BMW after her parents passed away.
She owns half of the automaker, while her brother owns the other half. Klatten also owned Atlanta AG, a giant in the pharmaceutical industry that she sold for $6 billion. We cannot confirm whether or not she drives a BMW herself.
Holly Branson - $3.8 Billion
Holly Branson is the daughter of Sir Richard Branson, who is one of the wealthiest men in the world. Branson controls over 400 companies and has an estimated net worth of around $5 billion.
Holly, who is worth a reported $3.8 billion, isn't resting on the cushion of her family name. She went to medical school and specialized in neurology. With her knowledge, she travels around the world as a philanthropist and human rights activist.
Sara Blakely - $1.14 Billion
Sara Blakely earned every cent of her estimated $1.14 billion net worth. She founded Spanx, a fashion company that makes leggings, pants, and intimate apparel. In 2012, Time Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Forbes later named her as the 93rd most powerful woman in the world. Before hitting the big time with Spanx, Blakely worked at Walt Disney World in Orlando. She also dabbled in stand-up comedy.
Hind Hariri - $5.5 Billion
Hind Hariri's father is Rafik Hariri, a very successful Lebanese businessman. He also served as the Prime Minister of Lebanon. When he passed away, she inherited his considerable wealth and is today worth $5.5 billion.
Hind is one of the world's youngest billionaires and prefers to keep her life as private as possible. Because of this, it is not well-known how she spends her wealth-- if she spends it at all.
Josie Ho - $7 Billion
Josie Ho's father, Stanley Ho, is a casino owner known in the industry as "The King of Gambling." This success means that Josie is in line for quite an inheritance and today is worth around $7 billion.
Outside of the family, Josie has dabbled in acting, even upsetting her father after accepting one risqué film role. While Stanley may not be happy with all of his daughter's life choices, he has not cut her off from the family fortune.
Aerin Lauder - $2.3 Billion
The heiress to the Estee Lauder cosmetics line, Aerin Lauder is worth an estimated $2.3 billion and is the oldest granddaughter of Ronald Lauder. She owns 16 million shares of the company but isn't content to live off her family's fortune and works as the image director.
Aerin has also worked to start her own ventures and brand - a line named AERIN which produces clothes, furniture, cosmetics, and perfume.
Serra Sabanci - $1.1 Billion
Serra Sabanci is the daughter of Ozdemir Sabanci and has definitely benefited financially from the family business. Her father founded Sabanci Holdings, the largest industrial and financial conglomerate in Turkey. When he passed away in 1996, she became a board member and shareholder.
According to reports, Serra is the 28th richest person in Turkey. Money isn't all Sabanci is made of. She proved her beauty comes with brains when she graduated, with honors, from the Department of Economics of Istanbul Bilgi University.
Alannah Weston - $7.9 Billion
The Weston Family built its fortune through a chain of supermarkets and bakeries. They are the second wealthiest family in Canada which benefits Alannah Weston who is worth an estimated $7.9 billion.
Previously, Alannah was the director of Selfridges before becoming the deputy chairmen of the Selfridges Group. The chain of high-end department stores has most of its locations in the United Kingdom and is owned by her family's main holding company.
Samantha Kluge - $9.5 Billion
At one point, John Kluge was the richest man in America. He was a television mogul and the founder of Metromedia TV. His daughter is Samantha Kluge and she is worth $9.5 billion.
From 1956 until 1986, Metromedia owned and operated television and radio stations across the United States. The company also owned Orion Pictures for a decade from 1988 until 1997. Samantha has one son and has been married three times.
Georgina Bloomberg - $11.5 Billion
If the name Bloomberg sounds familiar that's because Georgina Bloomberg is the daughter of Michael Bloomberg. Michael is the founder and CEO of Bloomberg media and at one point served as the mayor of New York City.
Thanks to her familial legacy, Georgina is worth $11.5 billion. When it came to her own career, however, she forged her own path. At a young age, Georgina fell in love with riding horses and was able to turn it into a career!
Christy Walton - $22.5 Billion
Christy Walton is the widow of John Walton, who himself happens to be the son of the founder of Walmart. She maintains a large share in the company today and is one of the richest women in the world with a net worth of $22.5 billion.
When she's not busy helping run the American giant, Walton donates her money and time to charities. Not much is known about her personal life.
Kylie Jenner - $900 Million
In March of 2019, Forbes dubbed Kylie Jenner as the world's youngest billionaire. While her net worth has slightly decreased since then, this list would not be complete without the socialite turned business mogul.
Jenner has made most of her sizable wealth on the success of her cosmetics line, Kylie Cosmetics. The line has been massively successful, although some have criticized Forbes for calling her "self-made." She is, after all, the half-sister of Kim Kardashian.
Delphine Arnault Gancia - $26 Billion
Delphine Arnault Gancia is the daughter of Bernard Arnault, who just happens to be the vice president of Louis Vuitton. With that major familial connection, Delphine is worth a whopping $26 billion.
As a way to get ready to join the family business, Gancia enrolled in the London School of Economics and earned her business degree. She officially joined the Louis Vuitton family in 2000 and has since grabbed a seat on the board of directors.
Vanisha Mittal Bhatia - $51 Billion
Still in her 30s, Vanisha Mittal Bhatia is worth an astonishing $51 billion! So how did her net worth grow so high? Her father owns and is the CEO of steelmaking company ArcelorMittal. His name is Lakshmi N. Mittal.
At some point, Bhatia will also be given one-third of the company her father owns. Her family is one of the wealthiest in the world and tops the list in India.
Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken - $13.4 Billion
Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken is the heir to the throne of the Heineken beverage company fortune. She controls one-fourth of the company and serves as its executive director. Heineken is currently the third-largest brewer in the world.
Before joining the family business, Charlene went to university at Rijnlands Lyceum Wassenaar, then got her law degree from the University of Leiden. Outside of work, Carvalho-Heineken is married to financier Michel de Carvalho.
Sheryl Sandberg - $1.31 Billion
Sheryl Sandberg earned every penny of her impressive $1.31 billion fortune. She is the founder of leanin.org and also works as the Chief Operating Officer and social media giant Facebook, where she is one of the company's loudest voices.
Prior to her high-profile gig at Facebook, Sandberg worked at Google as the vice president of Global Online Sales and Operations. In 2012, Time Magazine listed her as one of the most influential people in the world.
Tory Burch - $1 Billion
Tory Burch is a fashion designer, businesswoman, and philanthropist who is worth an estimated $1 billion. Most of her net worth is thanks to the company she founded and is the CEO, chairman, and designed for - Tory Burch LLC.
In 2015 Forbes listed Tory Burch as one of the most powerful women in the world. Befoe hitting in big in the fashion industry, Burch attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in history.
Caroline Hagen Kjos - $2.8 Billion
Caroline Hagen Kjos didn't just join the family business when she decided to get involved with her family's budget grocery chain, she chose to run the entire operation. Taking on that much responsibility at such a young age couldn't have been easy!
Overall, it is believed that Kjos owns a 97 percent stake in the family business. Now in her mid-30s, her net worth is estimated to be $2.8 billion.
Gina Rinehart - $6.06 Billion
The chairman of Hancock Prospecting, Gina Rinehart, is worth just over $6 billion. She is the daughter of Lang Hancock, the founder of the company. Today, she holds ownership of 76.6 percent of the company.
Hancock Prospecting, as run by Rinehart, is a mineral exploration and extraction company. It is one of the largest mineral companies in Australia and currently holds the rights to several of the largest land leases in Western Australia.
Dona Bertarelli - $4.5 Billion
Dona Bertarelli inherited her massive $4.5 billion fortune when her family's business sold for $9 billion in 2007. Her family worked in biotechs, which proved very fruitful when the sale was finalized.
Dona didn't just sit in waiting for the family fortune to come her way. She worked with the business as the Director of Public and Personal affairs. Since the company sold, she even started a business of her own. And did we mention that in 2016 she became the fastest woman to ever sail around the world?
Meg Whitman - $2.1 Billion
Meg Whitman has held a lot of major jobs in her life and has earned her $2.1 estimated net worth handily. She started her career with P&G, Disney, and Hasbro. She then became the President and CEO of eBay.
During her time with eBay, the company grew from 30 employees to more than 15,000 and also launched internationally. Today, she works as the president and CEO of Hewlett-Packard, one of the largest technology companies in the world.
Amy Wyss - $1.8 Billion
Amy Wyss is the daughter of a Swiss billionaire named Hansjorg Wyss. He founded the Wyss Foundation, and his daughter is the heiress to his rather large fortune. She serves on the board of directors and trustees for the family business as well as many other organizations and companies.
Amy Wyss holds dual citizenship between the United States and Switzerland. According to reports, she is worth an estimated $1.8 billion.
Maggie Magerko - $1.8 Billion
The daughter of Joe Hardy, Maggie Magerko inherited her fortune from her father, the man behind 84 Lumber. When Maggie took over the business, she had a lot of work to do to help grow it.
Since taking control in 1992, Maggie has helped grow 84 Lumber's market exponentially. Thanks to her efforts, the company now how has very strong and fruitful relationships with major home repair stores like Lowes and Home Depot.
Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala - $5.5 Billion
It pays to be in the beverage industry! Originally from Mexico, Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala inherited a stake in Grupo Modelo, the company owned by her father. Grupo Modelo is most famous for making Corona and was founded in 1925.
In 2013, 50 percent of the company was sold to Anheuser-Busch. The reported cost of the sale was $20.1 billion. With that sale behind her, Maria is today worth an astonishing $5.5 billion!
Milane Duncan Frantz - $5.3 Billion
Milane Duncan Frantz inherited her fortune from her father, a Houston based pipeline business owner. The company owns 49,000 miles of pipelines across the United States, which adds up to a big inheritance for Milane.
When Milane's father passed away in 2010, her estimated net worth rose to $5.3 billion. Today, Frantz invests her money, which has caused a slight decrease in her net worth to just over $4 billion. Somehow we doubt she's losing sleep over that.
Shari Arison - $3.9 Billion
Shari Arison is the wealthiest woman in Israel. She is worth a reported $3.9 billion, a sum she inherited from her father's cruise line company - Carnival Cruises. When she's not conquering the high seas, Arison is using her considerable wealth to save the planet.
Not only does Arison provide much-needed funding for non-profit organizations looking to protect the environment, but she also invests in companies with similar goals.
Tatiana Casiraghi - $2.4 Billion
Tatiana Casiraghi is truly one of the luckiest women in the world when it comes to her finances. Not only did she inherit a huge amount of wealth from her family's Columbian brewery business, but she also married Andrea Casiraghi.
Andrea is the oldest son of the Princess of Hanover, which makes him fourth in line for the throne of Monaco. Thanks to her good luck, Tatiana is the 874th richest person in the world with a net worth of $2.4 billion.
Charlotte Soderstrom - $2.2 Billion
Charlotte Soderstrom is the granddaughter of the founder of H&M. The clothing retailer was created in 1947 and has been hugely successful ever since. With her inheritance, Soderstrom is worth an estimated $2.2 billion.
The wealth didn't skip a generation. Charlotte's dad is the chairman of H&M and is the wealthiest person in Sweden. When he passes his vast fortune on to Charlotte, she will likely take that mantle.
Katharina Andresen - $1.25 Billion
The second youngest billionaire in the world, Katarina Andresen amassed her $1.25 billion net worth when she was just 21-years-old. At this time, her father put 42 percent of the family business, Ferd, in her name.
Ferd is a major company in its industry and was sold for a reported $480 million. It's safe to say that Katharina won't have to worry about finances for a very, very long time. If ever.
Lee Boo-Jin - $1.9 Billion
Lee Boo-Jin is the wealthiest woman in South Korea with a net worth of $1.9 billion. She is the daughter of Lee Kun-Hee, the man who owns Samsung, one of the largest suppliers of electronics in the world.
At some point, Boo-Jin along with her siblings will inherit Samsung from their father. Until then, she runs plenty of her own business ventures in the hospitality industry with upscale hotel chain Shilla.
Denise Coates - $3.8 Billion
Denise Coates is the 14th richest person in the United Kingdom with an estimated net worth of $3.8 billion. To earn her wealth, Coates founded and is the CEO of one of the world's pre-eminent online gambling companies - Bet365.
She saw the opportunity to have the company be based on an online betting platform after growing up around betting shops. She runs the company with her brother, who is also her business partner.
Magdalena Martullo-Blocher - $3.7 Billion
In 2004, Magdalena Martullo-Blocher took her father's position in Switzerland as one of the federal council of the government. Her father, Christoph Blocher, was an industrialist who bought Es-Chemie in 1983 before taking a job in government affairs.
She had previously worked for major corporations, including in a management position with Johnson and Johnson. All in all, Martullo-Blocher is worth an estimated $3.7 billion. She is listed as the eighth wealthiest person in Switzerland.
