Forbes Unveils 10 Richest Women in The World in 2023: 4 inherited Wealth From Their Husbands

Forbes Unveils 10 Richest Women in The World in 2023: 4 inherited Wealth From Their Husbands

  • Forbes recently released the list of the world’s wealthiest persons, among whom are 337 women
  • The top women on the list either made their wealth by sheer industry or inherited them from spouses or parents
  • However, the list of the world’s richest is still predominantly dominated by men

The 2023 Forbes World Billionaires List for Women shows 10 female billionaires, with about four of them either getting their wealth from their husbands as divorce settlements, running businesses together, or outright inheriting upon the demise of their parents.

The list is led by Francoise Bettencourt Meyer, who has occupied the position for the third year with an estimated net worth of $80.5 billion.

Wealthy Women, rich list
Top 4 richest women in the world Credit: Brendon Thorne / Stringer
Source: Getty Images

The richest woman in the world surpasses Dangote

Forbes said the combined net worth of the 10 wealthiest women on the list is about $402.6 billion, a bit higher than the $401 billion recorded last year.

Read also

Dangote reclaims title as Africa richest man ahead of South African billionaire

The majority of the women got their wealth by inheritance, Forbes also said.

Forbes tracked their wealth using stock prices and exchange rates from March 10, 2023.

It reports that the number of billionaires worldwide had declined from 2,668 in 2022 to 2,640 this year after reaching an all-time high of 2,775 in 2021.

The wealthiest persons on the Forbes list are men, with about 337 women, representing 13% of the list, who made the top.

Top 10 wealthiest women

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers: $80.5 billion.

  • Income source: Owns 33% of L’Oreal Group

Julia Koch: $59 billion

  • Income source: 42% share in Koch Industries.

Alice Walton: $56.7 billion

  • Income source: Inherited father’s Walmart business and established Crystal Bridges.

Jacqueline Mars: $38.3 billion

  • Income source: Inherited a third of Mars Incorporated shares, specialises in pet food and sweets

Read also

Nigeria’s billionaire list grows as another Nigerian emerges, joins Dangote, Adenuga, others

Miriam Adelson: $7.5 billion

  • Income source: Inheritance after husband’s death

Rafaela Aponte-Diamant: $31.2 billion

  • Income source: Owns shipping line with husband

Susanne Klatten: $27.4 billion

  • Income source: 19% share in BMW inherited from her grandfather

Gina Rinehart: $32.2 billion:

  • Income source: Owns Hancock Prospecting Group, a mining and agriculture company

MacKenzie Scott: $43.6 billion

  • Income source: Received a 4% stake in ex-husband Jeff Bezos' Amazon

Iris Fontbona: $23.1 billion

  • Income source: Inherited husband’s mining and beverages company

Dangote, others brace up as new dollar billionaires emerge in Africa in 2023

Legit.ng reported that Africa is currently experiencing an upsurge in wealthy individuals, despite not having the highest number dollar billionaires globally.

Forbes says that the continent is home to about 46 billionaires, and in the next decade, private wealth is expected to rise by 30%, with millionaires and billionaires leading the growth.

BusinessInsider says the continent has many up-and-coming billionaires with high net worth. These individuals have succeeded remarkably in various industries, including technology and real estate.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Pascal Oparada avatar

Pascal Oparada (Business editor) For over a decade, Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy. He has worked in many media organizations such as Daily Independent, TheNiche newspaper, and the Nigerian Xpress. He is a 2018 PwC Media Excellence Award winner. Email:pascal.oparada@corp.legit.ng