Have you ever wondered who the wealthiest women in the world are and how they amassed their fortunes? In 2021, Forbes released its list of the 328 richest women globally, with a combined wealth of $1.53 trillion. Let's dive into the lives of the top five women on Forbes' list of the wealthiest women in 2021.
1. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers
Net Worth: $73.6 billion
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, a French heiress, clinches the top spot. She inherited the world's largest cosmetics company, L'Oreal, from her late mother. Founded by her father, Eugene Schueller, L'Oreal faced a 6% drop in sales in 2020. However, a surge in demand for skincare products led to a 38% increase in the company's stock.
2. Alice Walton
Net Worth: $61.8 billion
Despite briefly losing her number one position, Alice Walton remains one of the wealthiest women globally. She inherited a substantial share of Walmart, the world's largest retail company, from her late father, Samuel Walton. Walmart's innovative online sales strategies have boosted Alice's wealth by over 5% since the mid-2000s.
3. MacKenzie Scott
Net Worth: $53 billion
MacKenzie Scott, Jeff Bezos's former wife and Amazon founder, acquired her fortune from the shares she co-owned as a founder of Amazon. In 2021, she topped Forbes' list of the most influential women globally due to her generous donations of $5.8 billion to 500 organizations across the United States. Her philanthropy focuses on racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and public health.
4. Julia Koch
Net Worth: $46.4 billion
Julia Koch's wealth stems from the 42% stake left by her late husband, David Koch. David inherited this wealth from the company he founded with his brother, Charles Koch. Koch Industries, the conglomerate they created, operates numerous businesses worldwide.
5. Miriam Adelson
Net Worth: Approximately $38.2 billion
Miriam Adelson, wife of the late American businessman Sheldon Adelson, ranks fifth on Forbes' list. A former doctor, she inherited her wealth from her late husband's casino business, valued at $38.2 billion at the time of his passing in January 2021. The casino business experienced significant losses due to the global COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. Consequently, in March 2021, the company divested all its Las Vegas casino properties to focus on its operations in Macao.
Conclusion
These remarkable women have carved their names in history as some of the wealthiest individuals globally. As we celebrate their achievements, we can only look forward to more women from diverse backgrounds taking their place among the world's richest. Here's to the hope that an Indonesian woman will someday grace this prestigious list. For the latest lifestyle news, keep following Fitie!