Top 10 countries with the most female billionaires
This year, 369 of the world’s 2,781 billionaires, or 13.3%, are women—up from 337 in 2023, when they made up 12.8% of the list. Combined, their wealth totals nearly $1.8 trillion, around $240 billion more than last year.
Forbes, known for its annual rankings of the world’s wealthiest people, releases its billionaire list each year. In 2023, the number of female billionaires rose to 337 from 327 the previous year.
Since 2021, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers of France, heiress to the L’Oréal fortune, has consistently held the title of the world’s richest woman.
Her net worth increased by $19 billion over the past year, bringing her total to $99.5 billion and marking her fourth year at the top.
Interestingly, most of the top ten wealthiest women inherited their fortunes, usually from family members like fathers or husbands. The one exception is MacKenzie Scott, who obtained her wealth following her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Here are the top 10 countries with the most female billionaires.
10. Spain – 8
Spain boasts eight female billionaires, with Sandra Ortega Mera leading the pack. As the daughter of Inditex co-founder Amancio Ortega, she has a net worth of $11.1 billion, much of which is linked to the iconic fashion brand Zara. She is the second richest person in Spain, after her father.
9. Hong Kong – 9
Hong Kong is home to nine female billionaires. Kwong Siu-hing, the wealthiest, has a net worth of $19.4 billion and plays a big role in Hong Kong’s real estate industry through Sun Hung Kai Properties, one of Asia’s most significant property developers.
8. Brazil – 9
Brazil also has nine female billionaires, with Vicky Safra leading with a net worth of $20.3 billion. Much of her wealth is tied to banking and investments, continuing her family’s financial legacy.
7. Australia – 9
Australia’s wealthiest woman, Gina Rinehart, is worth $30.5 billion, much of it stemming from mining. As chairperson of Hancock Prospecting, she is a powerful force in the iron ore industry, with Australia counting nine female billionaires in total.
6. Switzerland – 9
Switzerland has nine female billionaires, with Rafaela Aponte-Diamant topping the list. She co-founded Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), amassing a net worth of $34.7 billion from the global shipping industry.
5. India – 15
India has 15 female billionaires, with Savitri Jindal at the forefront with $39.4 billion. Her wealth is rooted in the steel and power conglomerate Jindal Group, inherited from her late husband.
4. Italy – 19
Italy boasts 19 female billionaires, led by Massimiliana Landini Aleotti, with $8.8 billion. Her wealth comes from the family’s pharmaceutical ventures, a sector that many Italian billionaires contribute to.
3. Germany – 22
Germany has 22 female billionaires. The wealthiest, Susanne Klatten, has a net worth of $21.7 billion, thanks to stakes in BMW and Altana, a major pharmaceutical company.
2. China – 42
China ranks second with 42 female billionaires, with Zheng Shuliang leading at $13.9 billion. China’s female billionaires have largely self-made fortunes in industries like tech and healthcare, showing the country’s rapid industrial growth.
1. United States – 97
The United States has 97 female billionaires, far more than any other country. Alice Walton, with a net worth of $92.5 billion from Walmart, tops the list. U.S. female billionaires are prominent across tech, retail, entertainment, and finance.
