The Changing Fortunes Of The World’s 5 Richest Female Billionaires
There were no new faces among the top five richest women between April 2020 and January 2022, but most did change their ranking. All five increased their wealth over 21 months, raising their combined wealth by almost $100 billion, and all acquired their fortunes by inheritance or divorce.
There were no new faces among the top five richest women between April 2020 and January 2022, but most did change their ranking. All five increased their wealth over 21 months, raising their combined wealth by almost $100 billion, and all acquired their fortunes by inheritance or divorce.
1. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & Family
Source of wealth: L’Oreal
April 2020 World’s Richest Women rank: 2 • $48.9 billion • $88.6 billion Change in wealth: $39.7 billion
Bettencourt Meyers was the world’s richest woman as of January 12, 2022, and the 13th richest person globally. The granddaughter of the founder of L’Oreal, alongside her family she owns 33% of the company’s stock. Bettencourt Meyers serves as the chairwoman of the family’s holding company and has been on the board since 1997. She became the heiress to the company in 1997, when her mother, who was the richest woman in the world at that time, passed away. In December 2021, L’Oreal agreed to repurchase 4% of its own stocks owned by Nestle.
2. Alice Walton
Source of wealth: Walmart
April 2020 World’s Richest Women rank: 1 • $54.4 billion • $66 billion Change in wealth: $11.6 billion
Walton is the daughter of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart. In recent years, she has focused on curating art rather than working at Walmart. However, she has a role in the Walton Family Foundation. Walton is also the chairperson of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which she opened in 2011. Walton also ranked 12th on the Forbes 400 list for 2021.
3. MacKenzie Scott
Source of wealth: Amazon
April 2020 World’s Richest Women rank: 4 • $36 billion • $55.6 billion
Change in wealth: $19.6 billion
4. Julia Koch & Family
Source of wealth: Koch Industries April 2020 World’s Richest Women rank: 3 • $38.2 billion • $53.9 billion Change in wealth: $15.7 billion
Koch became a billionaire in 2019, after she inherited a 42% stake in Koch Industries following the death of her husband, David Koch. She ranks 16th on the Forbes 400 list for 2021. Koch used to work as an assistant to fashion designer Adolfo before meeting her late husband in 1991. Koch Industries ranked second on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies 2021, and recorded 2020 revenues of $115 billion from businesses including pipelines, chemicals, Dixie cups, and Stainmaster.
5. Jacqueline Mars
Source of wealth: Candy, pet food April 2020 World’s Richest Women rank: 5 • $24.7 billion • $33.7 billion Change in wealth: $9 billion
Mars owns an estimated one-third of the world’s largest candy maker, Mars, which her grandfather founded. Jacqueline worked at the company for about 20 years and served on the board until 2016. She has also sat on the boards for the National Archives and the Washington National Opera. She ranked 21st on the Forbes 400 list for 2021. Her son is also on the board of directors of Mars. It ranked fourth on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies in 2021. Scott ranked first on the Forbes 2021 ranking of the World’s Most Powerful Women, surpassing U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and head of European Central Bank Christine Lagarde. She’s also ranked 15th on the Forbes 400 list for 2021. Scott and Jeff Bezos were married for 25 years before divorcing in 2019. After the divorce, Scott received 25% of her ex-husband’s stake in Amazon and signed the Giving Pledge, promising to donate at least half of her wealth to charitable causes throughout her lifetime. She has already donated over $8.6 billion in little more than two years.