Forbes has released its list for the richest women in the world 2025 and indeed it is quite an interesting one. Firstly, But the numbers of women who are billionaires has increased compared to last year. In 2025, 406 women made Forbes list of billionaires-compared to last year that had 369.
Without further ado, here are the top ten richest women in the world according to Forbes.
10. Melinda French Gates ( Country: US; Net worth: $30.4 billion; Age: 60; Source of wealth: Microsoft, investments)
Melinda French Gates according to Forbes is the tenth richest woman in 2025. She became $19.3 billion richer this year, after Forbes increased its estimate of her 2021 divorce settlement with Bill Gates.
9. Marilyn Simons & family (Country: U.S; Net worth: $31 billion; Age: 74; Source of wealth: Hedge funds)
Marilyn Simons is the widow of world renowned investor Jim Simons who died in 2024. She currently controls the Simons Foundation, an organization the couple cofounded to support science education and research.
8. Miriam Adelson & family (Country: U.S, Net worth: $32.1 billion; Age: 79; Source of wealth: Casinos)
Miriam Adelson who is originally from Israel owns more than half of Las Vegas Sands, the casino empire behind iconic properties such as the Venetian Macao and the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore together with her family. The company was founded by her late husband, Sheldon Adelson back in 1989.
7. Abigail Johnson (Country U.S; Net worth: $32.7 billion; Age: 63; Source of wealth: Fidelity Investments)
Abigail Johnson is the chairman and CEO of Fidelity Investments and her wealth is said to be from her estimated 28.5% stake in the Boston-based mutual fund company founded by her grandfather in 1946.
6. Savitri Jindal & family (Country: India; Net worth: $35.5. billion; Age: 75; Source of wealth: Steel)
Savitri Jindal is the richest woman in India. Her wealth comes from the Jindal Group, an Indian conglomerate that spans sectors including steel, power, cement and infrastructure. The company was founded by her late husband, Om Prakash Jindal, who died in a helicopter crash in 2005.
5. Rafaela Aponte-Diamant (Country: Switzerland; Net worth: $37.7 billion; Age: 80; Source of wealth: Shipping)
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant who is the fifth richest woman in the world is a Swiss billionaire who made her wealth from her 50% stake in Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest shipping line, which she cofounded with her husband in 1970 after meeting him on a boat trip to Capri, Italy. Today, the business commands a fleet of 900 ships and she is said to be the richest self-made billionaire on the list of richest women in the world 2025.
4. Jacqueline Mars (Country: U.S; Net worth: $42.6 billion; Age: 85; Source of wealth: Candy, pet food)
Jacqueline Mars alongside her family owns Mars Incorporated which has an array of beloved brands including M&Ms, Snickers, Wrigley’s and Pedigree dog food.
3. Julia Koch & family (Country: U.S; Net worth: $74.2 billion; Age: 62; Source of wealth: Koch, Inc)
Julia Koch is the widow of David Koch who died in 2019. She added nearly $10 billion to her fortune this year. Koch and her three children inherited a 42% stake in Koch, Inc. (formerly Koch Industries), the second largest private company in the U.S., spanning industries as diverse as oil refining, agriculture and real estate making her one of the richest women in the world 2025.
2. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & family (Country: France; Net worth: $81.6 billion; Age: 71; Source of wealth: L’Oréal)
Francoise Bettencourt is the L’Oréal heiress who was the world’s richest woman last year. Her fortune dropped due to weaker sales, particularly in China.
1. Alice Walton (Country: U.S; Net worth: $101 billion; Age: 75; Source of wealth: Walmart)
The richest woman in the world 2025 is Alice Walton, the only daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton who died in1992. She became the richest woman in the world after adding $28.7 billion to her fortune when Walmart stock climbed 40%.
